Colne’s recent run of form came to an end on Sunday with a heavy defeat at Ramsbottom.

Ramsbottom batted first and made 251-7, before strengthening their position in second place in the league, bowling Colne out for 95.

Matthew Walker took the wicket of Rothwell, caught behind with the score on only 2, and Joel Duerden had Cropper caught by Hakin, which meant that Ramsbottom professional Daryn Smit came to the crease. Smit this season, including Sunday, has scored 1,126 runs in 17 innings for an average of 140.8, far and away the leading pro in the league.

Smit was unperturbed by Colne’s bowling, seeing out the remainder of the innings without giving a chance. Acceleration at the end of the innings saw him to 114 not out, with Colne’s professional Thomas Kaber and John Lambert taking a couple of wickets each.

Colne had to chase what would have been their highest score of the season, against one of the league’s best bowling attacks. Smit, not content with being the league’s top batsman, is also the league’s top bowler with 65 wickets at 7.8 each. His leg breaks accounted for five Colne batsmen for 26 runs, with Ramsbottom’s trio of 40-odd year old veterans Haslam, Read and Fielding accounting for the rest.

Tillotson was the pick of the batsmen with a well-crafted 21 not out, but Colne did not come close to challenging the target.

Tomorrow sees Enfield visit the Horsfield for a 1 p.m. start. But before that, a special challenge match tonight sees aColne Cricket Club XI play a Colne Golf Club XI in a Twenty20 match to raise funds for the club. Admission is free, but there will be collecting boxes at the entrance for donations. The Cricket Club team is expected to include David Swarbrick, Paul Wilson, Richard Murgatroyd, Stuart Lemon and John Whiteside Jnr; the Golf Club team has Matthew Wilson, Nick Moulding, Jeff Ellis, Matthew Constable, Ryan Procter and Jack Mansfield. The match starts at 6 p.m., followed by live entertainment from The Joe Publix, from 9 p.m.

Clarets boss Sean Dyche felt a point apiece was a fair result from a tricky opening fixture at Leeds United.

But he was disappointed not to have at least one of two solid penalty shots given in the first half.

Burnley fell behind to a superb finish from Mirco Antenucci, before substitute Sam Vokes headed in debutant Tendayi Darikwa’s cross, and Dyche said: “I thought it was a really tough fixture on paper from our point of view. new manager, new manager thinking, a sort of beginning of the season feeling about the crowd when everyone is level about it, there’s no questions other than ‘let’s back the team’, and on Sky.

“Overall it was probably about the right result for both teams, two moments of quality in a game which was patchy - lots of energy and will and desire, from both teams, and pleased once again we have a belief in ourselves that we won’t go under, and we didn’t go under again, and delivered a fine bit of quality to get a point.”

He added: “I think they all look like good points if you’re 1-0 down with nine, 10 minutes to play.

“We know we’re a different animal now, we know teams want to try and beat us because we’ve just been in the Premier League, we understand that, the mentality of that, but there was no lack of mentality from us, we still think we can increase the quality - we were patchy, we’ve got more than that, but good signs overall.”

Lukas Jutkiewicz appeared to be hauled down in the area by Charlie Taylor, before Giuseppe Bellusci clearly handled to stop Jutkiewicz going clear - Kevin Friend gave neither decision Burnley’s way, and Dyche mused: “Two penalties not given, welcome to the Championship, I’m surprised we didn’t have a penalty, to be honest, at least one.

“I thought the first one was, I haven’t seen it up close, but it looked to me like Juke got dragged to the ground by his shirt, and we all know the rules. If that happens in the middle of the pitch, we all know it’s given as a foul.”

Dyche appointed keeper Tom Heaton as captain, and it was a simple process, as he said: “I said, ‘do you want to be captain?’ and he said ‘yeah’. Deadly serious, I don’t overthink it, I want everyone to play like a captain, it’s only an armband.

“He conducts himself professionally, he’s very well thought of at the club, he’s a bit of a go-to man, very sensible and articulate.

“You’ve got Duffo, Keano growing into his role, Jonah who’s been around...”

Related story:

* {http://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/burnley-fc/latest-news/leeds-united-1-burnley-1-1-7400010|Leeds United 1, Burnley 1}

A persistent street drug dealer with stashes to the tune of £13,000 has been locked up for two years.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Storm McGowan (25) who had a receipt for £1,000 part-payment of a holiday at his home as well as thousands of pounds, claimed he was selling cannabis and amphetamine because he had a drugs debt. But a judge said there was no evidence of that as he had no convictions for possessing drugs and told him: “It’s obvious that you were doing this for financial gain. There is no evidence whatsoever to suggest you were doing it because of a drugs debt.”

The hearing was told McGowan, who struck over nine months, was first caught last June, but wasn’t charged.

Undeterred, he carried on his trade. He was then arrested, charged and bailed after his home was raided last December and still carried on peddling drugs until he was remanded in custody in March.

The defendant admitted possessing amphetamine and cannabis with intent to supply, possessing a prohibited weapon - a CS gas canister - and possessing criminal property, all on March 6th.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis and amphetamine with intent to supply last December and possessing cannabis with intent to supply in June last year.

McGowan, of Melville Street, Burnley, now faces a proceeds of crime hearing.

Prosecutor Miss Susan Carter told the court that last December police searched the defendant’s home. He was tampering with an iPhone which the officers removed from him.

Officers found 102 wraps of amphetamine in the freezer, two large bags of cannabis, tick lists and between £4,000 and £5,000.

Miss Carter said the cannabis found weighed 82.27 grams and was worth £822.70. Thirty one ounces of amphetamine were discovered and the total value on the streets was £8,370.90.

An experienced drugs officer looked at “voluminous” texts on the defendant’s phone and looked at a sample of dealing-related messages from 48 different customers between November 21st and the time of his arrest.

The prosecutor said in June last year, a significant amount of cannabis and also amphetamine was found at a man’s Burnley home. The defendant’s fingerprints were found on three packages of cannabis, which would normally be divided into street deals.

The hearing was told the defendant had previous convictions for burglary and breaching orders and had served time.

Sentencing, Judge Beverley Lunt told McGowan that being arrested and bailed last December didn’t deter him and he only stopped dealing because he was remanded in custody in March. She told the hearing: “There is no evidence to validate that he was under any coercion because of a drugs debt.”

Nelson captain Neil Thompson was just 18 when he helped beat Burnley in the club’s last Worsley Cup Final in 2006.

And he is out for a repeat at Seedhill on Sunday.

Thompson finished unbeaten on 15 as professional Craig McMillan hit the winning runs at Turf Moor, to end on 99 not out.

He anticipates a tough test against the league leaders, and has urged his teammates to seize the moment in Nelson’s first home final in 20 years.

Thompson looked ahead to the big day: “Our last final was nine years ago, and of the side likely to play on Sunday, Khurrum Nazir, Richard Meade and myself all played. It was a great experience.

“Nelson last hosted a final 20 years ago, when I was seven. I remember it was a scorching day, but not a lot else!

“We have to make the most of it, these opportunities don’t come around that often, but hopefully it won’t be another 20 years!

“We’re not overwhelmed with a huge amount of volunteers, but it is great to reward the committee, members, players and everyone at the club – it’s been a huge boost. Everyone is looking forward to it, and hopefully the weather stays fine.”

Burnley could claim a third trophy this season – and a third-successive Worsley Cup – if they are victorious, and Thompson acknowledges their quality: “Burnley have played some great cricket and have a very strong side.

“On top of five or six top players, they have very steady, quality players, so it will be a very tough game, but they are beatable.

“We’ve struggled a bit in the league this year, but we’ve played some good stuff at times. We have a good team spirit, but haven’t had that consistency.”

Former Todmorden paid man Qaiser Abbas is set to feature as professional for Nelson.

While supporters can take their own refreshments, the club will have a number of pop-up bars, bottle and can bars, a barbeque, hog roast and catering from the kitchen.

Much to the relief of Colne’s Lady Captain Pamela O’Connor, the weather stayed fine for the ladies to enjoy her day.

Janet Ferguson reduced her handicap by three shots with a great round of 101-30-71 to win the event, with Freda Lester four shots behind (96-21-75), pipping Carol Robinson’s 105-29-76 into third place.

Nearest the line on the 3rd was won by Ann Waddington, and on the 5th Stella Kitson, with Linda Ryder nearest the pin in two on the 18th. A surprise prize for lowest nett for 30-36 handicappers was won by Enid Duerden.

Joan Finley won the Stableford competition on a card play-off from Anne Black, with both ladies scoring 37 points. Eva Pinder took third place two shots behind.

Colne Ladies’ Bronze team, represented by Bronze Team captain Anne Graham, Stella Kitson, Linda Ryder, Eileen Foulds and Carol Robinson, qualified for the East Division final, to be played at Lytham Green against Pleasington, when they beat Walmsley 4-1 at Bury Golf Club.

Barnoldswick’s efforts have been “flowered” with praise by North West in Bloom judges.

Star attraction was the colourful display in Fernlea Avenue, while the judges also took in the sea wall garden (constructed out of 576 reused plastic bottles) in Barnoldswick Town Square.

Coun. David Whipp said: “Regional judges were very impressed with Barnoldswick and gave us some good advice in preparation for the national judging visit next Tuesday.

“We’ll be working hard over the weekend to give the town a good spit and polish and welcome anyone who would like to lend a hand; those interested should make themselves known at the beach.”

Pendle AC athlete Kai Atkins has been crowned junior boys’ 1,500m champion at the English Schools’ Championships in Gateshead.

Atkins was one of a record six Pendle athletes in action at the championships, a superb achievement given the tough criteria to earn a place in the Lancashire squad.

Atkins had thrown down the gauntlet on the Friday in his heat, gaining the fastest time of the year in winning in a time of 4mins 12 secs.

This put added pressure on his shoulders, making him the favourite to win the title.

In the final, the first 500m was slow, so Atkins decided to take the lead and make the long run for home.

He held off all comers and crossed the finishing line in 4mins 10secs.

Atkins also leads the UK rankings as a result of his efforts, and had a special memento of his win – a photograph with Gateshead-born UK athletics legend Steve Cram, Olympic silver medalist, World champion, twice European champion and three-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist.

Pendle had five other athletes competing.

On day one, Tiarnan Crorken was in action in the intermediate boys’ 1,500m, and Emerson James, representing West Yorkshire, was in the 800m. Neither reached the final, but both were not quite race fit.

Joe Lonsdale ran in the inter boys’ 200m and got through his heat, only to miss out in the semi-finals by a tenth of a second, but Joe will get another chance next year.

On day two Leah Hillman came sixth in the javelin, a great performance as she is also bottom of the age group.

Matthew Barnes, in the 3,000m inter boys, finished down the field of 23. a second outside his personal best.

A young entrepreneur suspected of drink driving sparked an early hours high-speed police chase in the powerful car he had treated himself to as a reward for his hard work, a court heard.

Simon Mellin (28) shot past an officer’s car at between 60mph and 80mph on a 30mph residential Colne road in his black BMW M4 Coupe.

He refused to stop, accelerated away and sped down smaller streets to try to lose the police and escape, but crashed into a wall.

Burnley Crown Court was told even then he tried to reverse to get away. The officer got out of his car and put himself at risk attempting to halt Mellin. The defendant ignored police shouts to get out of the vehicle, didn’t switch his engine off and didn’t unlock his door. The officer ended up having to smash Mellin’s window with a baton and he was pulled out of the BMW, taken to the ground and arrested.

Mellin, who had been to Colne Cricket Club, claimed he came out fast after a “blazing row” with his girlfriend and had simply wanted to get home.

He was pursued after police had been alerted to an allegedly “drunk” person getting into a BMW M4 at the club. Mellin, the court was told, had been drinking, but didn’t give a breath test and a blood sample wasn’t taken.

Judge Beverley Lunt, who said he stopped because he crashed and not because he came to his senses, told him she was satisfied he thought he would be the over the limit.

The defendant walked free from court, but not until after he had spent an hour in the cells after being remanded over the lunch adjournment - an experience which the judge said she doubted would leave him for a long time. Imposing a suspended sentence, Judge Lunt told Mellin, who was said to be “completely terrified” of going to jail: “You came as close as it’s possible to come to going to prison.”

Mellin and his brother, Nick, run successful meat company Roaming Roosters.

Mellin, of Wheatley Lane Road, Barrowford, admitted dangerous driving on Byron Road, Windsor Street, Townley Street and Skipton Road, Colne. He was given eight months in custody, suspended for a year and banned for 12 months. The defendant was also ordered to pay £400 costs.

Prosecutor Peter Barr told the court police were alerted by a member of the public who contacted them just after midnight and told them somebody they described as being “drunk” had left a 21st party at the cricket club and got into a BMW M4.

Police went to Byron Road, Colne, and saw a black BMW M4 Coupe being driven. The prosecutor continued: “The officer reports the road conditions were poor, it was dark, it had been raining, the road surface was wet and there was standing water on the road.”

Mr Barr said the officer described the car as “hurtling” past him and he estimated the speed to be between 60mph and 80mph. He activated his emergency blue lights and sirens and gave pursuit. The defendant drove onto Windsor Street, heading in the direction of the M65, turned right into Townley Street and then went back in the direction of Skipton Road.

The prosecutor said the officer continued to follow. Mellin turned sharply left into Skipton Road, the officer was five car lengths away and the defendant accelerated away at speed, the officer estimating it being in excess of 70mph, again in a residential 30mph zone.

Mr Barr continued: “He crossed over the centre white line, negotiated a sweeping left turn and as the officer came round the bend, he saw the BMW crash into a garden wall at the junction of Skipton Road and Chatham Street.”

The hearing was told Mellin then tried to reverse and drive away as the officer got out of his vehicle. Police shouted to Mellin to get out of his car, he didn’t, the door was locked and the officer had to use his baton to break the driver’s window. The driver then unlocked the door and was removed from the vehicle and taken to the ground.

The prosecutor added: “It became plain the defendant’s breath smelled strongly of alcohol. He was taken to Burnley Police Station, where he failed to give a breath test. He was interviewed and answered no comment to all questions put to him.”

The prosecutor added magistrates had sent the case to the crown court as they said it was a prolonged course of bad driving “involving deliberate disregard for the safety of others”.

Gwyn Lewis, mitigating, said Mellin was asked to provide a specimen of breath and tried to do so, but he was feeling dizzy as he had a head injury. When he was asked if there was any medical reason, he said he felt sick and dizzy.

Mr Lewis continued: “His instructions are that he had consumed alcohol and it had not been his intention to drive at all on the night in question. The reason he drove is that he ended up having a blazing row with his girlfriend. He drove out of Colne Cricket Club fast in a straight line down that road, He just simply wanted to get home. He had consumed some pints of beer during the evening, but not an excessive amount. “

The solicitor said the initial part of the incident wasn’t a chase. Mellin couldn’t have reversed the car after the collision, as there was an element of shock.

The solicitor went on: “He was removed from the car in fairly dramatic terms and put to the ground. He wasn’t asked to provide a sample of breath at the side of the road. He was simply bundled into the van and taken to the police station.”

The solicitor continued: “He is very much business-minded. He’s spending 24 hours a day, seven days a week running the business. That’s all he has been doing, nothing else. He gave himself a high-powered BMW as a reward for the work he put in.”

Mr Lewis said Mellin was very specific in his instructions to say he was sorry for what he had done. The solicitor told the hearing Mellin was “completely terrified” at the prospect of going to jail.

Sentencing, Judge Lunt said Mellin had been determined to escape from the police and had driven at “grossly excessive speed”.

The judge continued: “We will never know whether you were over the legal limit of alcohol in your system when you drove in this way as you did not succeed in taking a breath test and no blood was taken.

“You thought you would be over the limit. It’s fortunate indeed for you, but more so for society, that you did not come across other cars, pedestrians and other road users.” She added there was no evidence she could find that Mellin was over the legal limit and she was not sentencing him that he was.”

Nelson Golf Club Captain and former Claret Ian Brennan is on the lookout for golfers to join him as Burnley face up to old foe Blackburn Rovers.

The big match, featuring teams of four, to include one former player, due to be played on August 26th, will feature Brian Flynn, Frank Casper and Chris Pearce, as well as ex-Rovers stars Ian Millar Graham Oates and Mark Patterson, to name but a few.

The players are all supporting three charities, while the day’s proceeds will benefit the clubs’ former players’ associations, and the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation – Brennan’s chosen charity.

Cost is £95 per head, including coffee and bacon sandwiches, a three- course dinner and presentation, followed by an after dinner speech from Steve Kindon.

Anyone interested can contact Richard Lees on 611834 (option 2).

The Designer Golf Stableford Doubles at Nelson was won by Sandra Driver and Sophie Potter in a card play-off with Joyce Aikman and Stella Newton, both teams gaining 41 points. Third were Linda Lee and Janet Kelly with 39 points.

The Nine-Hole competition was won by Pat Oldroyd.

Dorothy Robinson-Tattersall held her Lady President’s Day at Ghyll Golf Club, playing a three club and putter competition. With 33 points, the winner was Emma Blades. Stephanie Robinson (32) took second, and third was Ann Preston on 31. Winner of the front nine was Susan Tattersall with 17.

At Marsden Park, in the 5th Medal, Michael Holden’s excellent 78-15-63 beat Martin Shaw’s 80-14-66, with Craig Watson third with 85-17-68.

In the ladies’ competition, Michelle Lingard continued her consistent form, with Eva Pinder second. Oliver Scott won the Junior Kings Cup.

The 36-hole Masters was won by Craig Watson’s 68+66=134, ahead of Don McCombe (70+65+135), who beat Nick Alderson’s 64+71=135 on a card play-off.

Janet Kelly won the ladies event with 74+72=146.

A Nelson mum who allowed her home to be used as a crack house has been given a suspended jail term.

Leah George (26) had lived at the property on Carleton Street, where a “substantial amount” of drugs had been found, Burnley Crown Court was told.

George had originally been given a community order for the offence, but flouted the order and she was resentenced by Judge Beverley Lunt.

George had earlier pleaded guilty to permitting premises at Carleton Street to be used for the supplying of Class A drugs, on February 16th.

She had denied possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply on the same date and the prosecution did not proceed with that charge.

On Thursday George, who was recently living at Napier Street, Nelson, but is now homeless, admitted breaching the community order.

George, who had not gone to probation, told the court: “I got kicked out of my house and I was going here, there and everywhere.”

The defendant, who said she had previously been taking drugs, said she had been to Inspire, the treatment service.

Judge Lunt said she had only sentenced George on June 25th. She said she just didn’t see the community order working now as the defendant was “too haphazard”.

The judge told the defendant: “Either I give you a chance and you go and see probation for help or I send you to prison.”

She gave George three months in custody, suspended for a year.

The drinking water scare affecting around 300,000 homes in Lancashire may remain in force for at least two more days.

United Utilities say they are making significant progress in eliminating traces of the bug cryptosporidion in supplies.

One clear sample has now been tested, but scientists want to see a series of similar results before they can lift the alert across areas of the county including Preston, South Ribble, Chorley, the Fylde Coast and parts of Blackburn.

The parasite, which can cause stomach cramps and diarrhoea, was found in routine samples taken last week at the Franklaw Water Treatment Plant near Garstang on Thursday.

Residents were immediately warned to boil all drinking water and the scare has continued since then.

“we are hoping to get some positive updates in the next couple of days,” said a company spokesperson on Monday.

“We are getting some results that contain much, much lower levels and others that are clear. But we need to get a full set of tests that are clear. Hopefully that could be Wednesday or Thursday.”

For more on the water contamination in Lancashire visit the links below:

{/news/health/local/parasite-found-in-water-supply-1-7398445|Parasite found in water supply}

{/news/local/water-scare-what-is-cryptosporidium-1-7397065|WATER SCARE: What is Cryptosporidium?}

{/news/environment/environment/water-latest-shelves-cleared-amid-water-scare-1-7397340|Shelves cleared amid water scare}

{/news/environment/environment/water-scare-update-map-issued-showing-affected-areas-1-7397416|Map issued showing affected areas}

{/news/health-warning-continues-after-bug-is-found-in-water-supply-1-7397656|Health warning continues after bug is found in water supply}

{/news/environment/environment/breaking-water-warning-to-last-into-next-week-1-7397928|BREAKING: Water warning to last into next week}

{/news/water-chaos-compensation-claims-spark-debate-1-7400664|WATER CHAOS: Compensation claims spark debate}

{/news/local/water-chaos-compensation-could-be-given-to-residents-1-7399888|WATER CHAOS: Compensation could be given to residents}

{/news/local/water-chaos-why-weren-t-we-told-sooner-1-7399810|‘Why weren’t we told sooner?’}

{/news/local/water-chaos-battle-for-safe-water-rages-as-investigations-continue-1-7399812|Battle for safe water rages as investigations continue}

Burnley Boys and Girls’ Youth Club in Duke Bar is appealing for local businesses and members of the public to donate equipment for their memorial garden.

The club are looking for equipment such as benches and plants so they can continue to create the garden in memory of founder Captain Riley and other former members who fought in the First World War.

Club leader John Melvin said: “It would help so much if the town of Burnley and the surrounding areas could help in turning the clubs memorial garden into a vision of beauty.

“This equipment would help us create a memorial garden that is one of the best in Burnley and will let the county of Lancashire know that we are very proud of the area we come from.

“We also want to give our young members a lasting memory of the club, and we know they will help build the garden keep it in brilliant condition for the whole town of Burnley to be proud of.

“It would also be nice for other groups who use our club such as the Parkinson Group to have somewhere to enjoy the summer sun and a cup of tea.”

An ex-boxing pro floored an Italian waiter and tore off his shirt wanting to fight when the victim and a colleague went to stop him doing a runner from a restaurant, a court heard.

Stuart Alexander McFadyen (33) assaulted Gerado Imperato after he and his girlfriend were said to have run from Zio on Gisbun Road, Barrowford, without paying their £58 bill.

Burnley magistrates heard how Mr Imperato was pushed over and suffered an elbow injury which kept him off work for two weeks.

His fellow waiter Serkan Yilmaz also feared he would be subjected to violence during the trouble outside the premises on July 1st.

The defendant and his girlfriend, who is now going to pay the bill, were said to have tried to take off after she was intending to pay, but found she hadn’t enough money to cover the meal.

McFadyen, a professional boxer for five years, had the alias The Burnley Banger.

Now a builder, he is currently not working due to seizures caused by his 21 years in the ring and is on benefits.

The defendant, of Keighley Road, Colne, admitted assaulting Mr Imperato by beating him, making off without payment and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

He was fined £125 and must pay £50 compensation, a £20 victim surcharge, £85 costs and a £180 criminal court charge.

The Bench said they accepted the assault was on the spur of the moment and it was a push rather than a blow.

Prosecutor Parveen Akhtar said that after the assault, the victim was worried about leaving his workplace late at night and feared he might get attacked again.

Ben Leech (defending) said McFadyen was an amateur boxer for 16 years and a professional for five years.

He had had to give up work because of seizures and the earliest he could return to building was December this year.

A mystery adventure tale penned by a magistrate has attracted rave reviews from readers.

American-born Dana Garrett Nadeau drew inspiration from a life that has taken him to live on three continents and embraces an interest in both sci-fi and the supernatural.

His first book, “The Cloven Pine”, owes much to the influence of Mark Twain, particularly in Tom Sawyer, given a modern, readable twist for today’s market.

Mr Nadeau’s early life was spent in America and originally studied maths. A chance encounter introduced him to the world of literature and after graduating he taught English in Africa before moving to England to read for a Masters in English and American literature, and developed a love of Twain’s work.

An academic post in Switzerland was followed by a varied career in commerce in Lancashire and becoming a part-time lecturer of English literature at Lancaster University and radio presenter. He and his wife, Ann, live in Accrington and he is now a member of the Bench at Reedley Magistrates’ Family Court.

“The Cloven Pine” is the first of three stories told by a mixed race boy, Conrad James Hardy, living in 1960s Idaho with an eccentric family, and although the protagonist is a child, the page-turning book has adult themes. “Themes are about what make us laugh or cry, what we enjoy and what annoys us, what we live to achieve and often what we die for,” said Mr Nadeau.

The story takes the reader from the time Conrad turns 10 and discovers a long-buried secret before encountering a strange being whose life intertwines with his own over the next few years.

He is forced to grow up fast when his family attracts the derision of many neighbours, and as a young teenager suffers a terrible tragedy that leads him no option but to turn detective, because the community in which he lives is not anxious to help.

The author is currently working on the completion of “Vulture Soup”, a sequel set in Africa, while “One of our Aliens is Missing”, the proposed third book in the Conrad J Hardy series, is to be set in Lancashire, drawing more on his experience as a magistrate.

Independently published, it is on Amazon as a paperback and an ebook.

Work on the highly-anticpated Prairie Sports Village will now not be completed until the end of October.

The new complex, based on the Prairie playing fields site, had been {http://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/new-sports-village-ready-by-summer-1-7083743|due for completion this summer}.

The council say the reason for the hold up is a delay at the start of the pavilion construction work in order to make safe gas and electricity supplies.

“The council was keen to not jeopardise the final quality of the facility by shortening the construction period,” a spokesman said.

“We are confident customers will accept the short delay when they experience the new facilities.”

Once completed the £2.5m. facility will house a 16-bay golf range with the pavilion boasting a number of meeting and multi-purpose rooms along with a golf pro shop, full teaching facilities for the golf range and a welcoming reception area.

There will also be a bar and bistro with a cosy lounge and relaxation spot.

A programme of coaching and holiday club activity sessions are planned to be run by the Burnley Leisure’s Get in2 team during school holidays.

The ground floor football changing facility is also nearly finished and Burnley Leisure say the pitch is now almost fully booked for the winter.

Neil Hutchinson, head of operations at Burnley Leisure said: “The facility is looking fantastic and it will be a real asset to the town catering for people of all ages in a unique building of the highest quality.

“The Prairie will cater for recreational golfers through to an advanced standard with a full coaching experience. The multi-use aspect of the facility will mean it will also be a great meeting place for local people and businesses.

“We can’t wait for it to be open and I am expecting a very busy winter ahead.”

Summer signing Tendayi Darikwa will be hoping history is repeated when the Clarets take on Port Vale in the Capital One Cup.

The 23-year-old was unbeaten in four meetings against the Valiants with former club Chesterfield which included a perfect record from two trips to Vale Park.

The right back netted in his first encounter against the League One side when adding to a Jay O’Shea opener in the 64th minute in December 2012.

Darikwa then featured for the entirety as the Spireites won 2-1 almost 12 months ago despite the dismissal of defender Ian Evatt.

He said: “My record at Port Vale? I’ve won a few games and I’ve managed to nick a goal there as well. I don’t think I’ve lost there so hopefully I can keep that record going.

“Every game, whether it’s league or cup, they’re all competitive and I think anyone who has played at Port Vale will tell you that it’s a tough place to go. That’ll be no different tonight. We’ve got to be switched on and whichever team the gaffer puts out I’m sure they’ll go out there to win the game.”

Darikwa added: “It’s a new feeling for me to go in to the game as the team to beat. During my time at Chesterfield every cup game against the bigger teams we have always been the so called ‘smaller’ team looking for the scalp. It’ll be a bit different but we’ll need to be switched on and hopefully we can progress in to the next round.

“You’ve got to be professional in every game that you play. The pundits and everybody on the outside will probably expect us to win the game but I wouldn’t like to use the word ‘pressure’. We’ll go in to every game focussed no matter who it is against and no matter who they are.”

Goals from Chris McCann, Charlie Austin and Dean Marney helped the Clarets overcome Vale in the first round of the competition three years ago after Chris Shuker had given the hosts a ninth minute lead.

Darikwa is now aiming to build on Saturday’s debut at Elland road to help the club progress once more.

“On a personal note I was really pleased to officially make my Football League debut for the club,” he said. “Thankfully we didn’t lose the game but at the same time it would’ve been nice to get the three points.

“It was important to get the equaliser in the way that we did though. Any other team could’ve surrendered the three points after conceding so late but we went down the other end and got the equaliser which is pleasing.

“I like to get forward and get crosses in to the box. I also need to make sure that we’re getting clean sheets as well because that’s my job as a defender. Saturday was disappointing not to get the clean sheet but thankfully I got the assist for Vokesy.

“It felt natural on Saturday. There was the added pressure of it being the first game of the season which was at Elland Road as well. It was a bit difficult to get straight in to it but I really enjoyed it and I’m learning every day as much as I can off the management and the other players.”

He added: “It would be nice to get that clean sheet. First and foremost - if you’re keeping clean sheets then you’re not losing games. Hopefully we can take that in to the next games.

“It’s pleasing to have another game coming round so quickly so we can try to progress in to the next round of the cup.”

Electricity North West has said power should be restored to the majority of 280 Nelson customers within 30 minutes.

Customers reported losing power in the Nelson and Colne College area at approximately 9-45am after an underground cable fault.

A spokesman for Electricity North West said engineers should have restored power to 252 customers within half an hour and were working hard to get the remaining 28 customers switched on again as soon as possible.

Health bosses in Lancashire have said their efforts to reduce the high numbers of teenage pregnancies in Burnley are working.

The Burnley Express revealed last week that {http://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/health/local-health/burnley-tops-teen-mum-league-1-7397639|Burnley had the highest rates of teenage pregnancy per head of population in the country}.

But health professionals at Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust this week confirmed they have seen a drop in teenage pregnancy in the area and are encouraging more teenagers to make positive choices about their sexual health.

The Contraception and Sexual Health Team (CaSH) at the Trust is encouraging young people in Burnley aged 18 and under to make the right choices for them about how and when they get pregnant.

Sue Capstick, service line manager for the Contraception and Sexual Health service at Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are currently seeing record lows of teenage pregnancy in Burnley with the figures being lower than ever before.

“In 1998 the under 18s figures that were recorded showed 146 teenage pregnancies, this had dropped considerably to 62 by 2013 and the under 16s figures have dropped to 53 since 2009.

“We continue to see a steady decline. We are proud to work with excellent partners such as local schools, colleges and youth groups to provide sex education to young people across the area.

“Our teams ensure messages regarding safe sex practice are available to young people, their parents and guardians to help start conversations and ensure young people feel comfortable asking questions and seeking advice when they need it to enable them to make informed decisions.”

The CaSH Team said it provides workshops to partner organisations, and has recently expanded this work into high schools.

Sue Roscow, community sexual health development lead at Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “There is a very strong history of such partnerships in East Lancashire leading to successful reductions in both the under 16s and under 18s conceptions rates.

“We aim to promote a positive attitude towards sexual health through workshops and manuals, and adapt our workshops to suit each school and age group.”

The teams don’t just provide contraception and clinics, but offer education and information in partnership with Burnley Borough Council, school nurses, social services and other organisations.

To get in touch with the team for more information call 01282 628653.

Police investigating a series of thefts on a street in Colne have released CCTV of a man who they would like to trace in connection with their inquiries.

Three properties on Mason Street were targeted overnight between 4-30am and 5-30am on Sunday, August 2nd.

In each instance, it is thought that someone has gained access to the rear gardens and yards of the properties and stolen garden ornaments and solar lights.

Officers are also linking the incident with {http://www.pendletoday.co.uk/news/anger-as-tragic-teen-s-memorial-garden-trashed-1-7391403|damage caused at the James Goodship Memorial Garden} at the Colne Citidel on Market Place. Similarly, the garden was damaged and items stolen including solar lights and sentimental ornaments.

Some of the property was recovered from the local area, but officers would like to trace the man in the CCTV images.

PCSO 7530 Ailsa Gill of Colne Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “We are keen to trace and speak to the man in the CCTV and I would urge anyone with information about his identity to get in touch at your earliest opportunity.

“It is despicable that someone would also damage a memorial garden and we know that the family and friends of James Goodship and the wider community are appalled by this mindless act. We are determined to bring the perpetrator to justice.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting log number 0431 of August 2nd.

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org.

Calling all foodies! Were you one of the 20,000 visitors to Clitheroe Food Festival this weekend?

Foom paella to pizza, potted shrimps to pastrami - there were delicacies to suit all tastes, all lovingly created or sought out by producers from across the North West.

What was your favourite taster from the food festival this year? A sip of an award-winning craft beer, hand-made chocolate treats or unusual pies?

Let us know ...