Prince Edward travelled to Accrington 60 years to the day his mother, the Queen, acceded to the throne. He was taken on a tour of the new facility along with county council bosses, Hyndburn mayor Colette McCormack and MP Graham Jones, before unveiling a plaque.

Last year, the retail guru, who made her name on BBC’s Mary Queen of Shops, came up with a 28-point list of recommendations including more free parking, national market days and the creation of ‘town teams’.

Alice, of Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, was awarded the high honour of Freedom of the Borough in 2005 in recognition of her extensive charity work.

Police are not treating the death of the 43-year-old, who lived on Sprucewood Close, Accrington, as suspicious.

With her life story now told in a new Hollywood film, Jon Macpherson spoke to ex-army officer Richard Colwill who arrived on the scene minutes after the massacre ...

Victim Matthew Howard was stabbed 14 times in the back, spine and chest in the attack at the house, in Elizabeth Street, Accrington.

The visit is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 16 or Thursday, May 17.

Fire crews attended the mid terrace house on Butts Mount, after smoke was seen coming from a bedroom window.

The winning candidate, selected by children aged 11-18 will become the area's representative in the UK Youth Parliament as well as being a member of both Hyndburn and Lancashire Youth Council.

Police are not treating the 43-year-old's death as suspicious. A file has been passed to the coroner and a post-mortem is to be held on Tuesday.

Tracy, 34, surprised Scott by making the proposal as they enjoyed a meal out at their favourite restaurant.

The eleven stone-carved plaques will remember historic occasions in the town’s history including the Queen’s visit in 1968, the Great Egg Smash of 1957 and the Festival of Britain in 1951.

The coin, which is dated 1911, was found by Barbara Banks while cleaning out her brothers flat and believes it was possibly handed down to him by their parents.

Northern Rail bosses will introduce the change because of low footfall on the Blackpool South to Colne line. It is one of four stations to be affected by changes, which will come into effect on May 14 – the others being Pleasington, Hapton and Burnley Barracks.

Dorothy McGregor, of Maundy Relief, spoke of her disappointment after Christopher Simmons admitted stealing money and food from one of their bases, at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court.

Ernest was born on February 29, 1928, a leap year, meaning that his birthday only comes around once every four years. To celebrate Ernest getting the key to the door his friends and family are set to throw the former Army man a 21st birthday party.

The former route from Stubbins North to Accrington lies in Woodnook Vale and the line was closed down in the early 1960s.

Morgin Kofa, 50, was sentenced to two years in prison over the ‘wicked attack’ on his partner, who he had met in church.

He was arrested after an investigation by Blackburn with Darwen’s Engage team – a specialist unit which was set up to tackle the sexual exploitation of children.

Guests enjoyed samples of Ye Old Sausage Shop’s limited edition sausage called The Observer 125 and a special beer of the same name was created by Peter Booth, who used to live in Great Harwood, but now lives and works in Ramsbottom, where he’s chief brewer of the Irwell Works Brewery.

British Transport Police are now hunting the ‘mindless’ vandals responsible.

Around 70 angry residents lined a packed council chamber at the town hall, with dozens more unable to get in.

Club secretary Stuart Padbury said the panels are a ‘long term investment’ and the club will start generating a profit after the first four to six years.

The ‘King Coley’ story could be made into a film, according to the club’s most famous son, David Lloyd.

Jo Taylor has been commissioned to create a charcoal for the award-winning director to mark the release of his new blockbuster Warhorse.

The site of the new centre has not been revealed, but it is understood Hyndburn is a preferred location and that it could even be built on the current site of Hargreaves House in Oswaldtwistle.

The town’s top performing school was again Accrington St Christopher’s CE school, where 79 per cent of candidates achieved five or more GCSEs at C or above – up from 71 per cent before.

The cooking area was destroyed in the accidental blaze at around 4pm at the property on Emma Street in Accrington.

Inside nearby Coral bookmakers the pensioner was approached by two women who distracted him by asking questions about the betting procedures before removing an envelope full of cash from his inside jacket pocket and leaving.

After being called out shortly after 8pm the fire was put out three hours later after crews used an aerial ladder. There were concerns that the roof of the building contained asbestos.

Enfield Cricket Club has submitted an application to Hyndburn council to build a three-bay practice facility on the club’s car park in Dill Hall Lane, Church.

Jason McCash, 27, admitted driving two cars in the attempted robbery of the Londis News Extra shop, on Barnes Road, in May last year at Preston Crown Court.

The company has run a store further along the road for the past 25 years, but was served with a compulsory purchase order from the council four years ago.

Ben Barnes said seven vehicles, three caravans and his office were destroyed in the suspected arson attack at around 4am on Wednesday.

Thugs used garden shears to cut electric cables outside Stonebridge Surgery and then smashed two doors to get in.

Since she was first featured in the Observer more than 50 years ago, Barbara has collected four albums bursting with dozens of photos and stories.

Heath Riley, of Oswaldtwistle, was attempting to deliver a skip for Enviro Skips Ltd when the incident occurred. The upper skip slipped and fell onto his right hand causing extensive and complex crushing injuries.

Zameer Arshad, 26, drove the teenager to a house in Accrington and ordered her to go upstairs where he sexually assaulted her.

It is not known what caused the flat in Merlin Court, Oswaldtwistle, to become smoke-logged.

Robinson, 28, has been recalled to prison after having failed to comply with the conditions of his prison licence.

To mark this important milestone our reporters have been dusting off old copies of the Observer to produce a special anniversary supplement.