Central Radio News

Following recent incidents at St Joseph’s Orphanage and 131 Church Street, which caused much disruption within Preston and the wider community, the Council has set up a dedicated Task Force to address empty and derelict buildings and the growing concerns around safety.

Burnley is celebrating a remarkable year of growth and development as a host of new businesses have chosen to open their doors in the town centre, marking a significant step forward in the vision to make Burnley a destination of choice for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.

Blackpool is preparing to bring the curtain down on 2024 with a spectacular New Year’s Eve party on the Prom.

Plans have been lodged to build a new motorway service station in Preston.

Lancashire County Council has unveiled plans for new bus links in Preston, Chorley and South Ribble as part of a shake-up of services from Spring 2025.

The first stage of vital works that aim to relieve congestion and improve traffic flow in Rawtenstall have been completed ahead of the Christmas holidays.

The University of Central Lancashire can begin dropping the word ‘central’

Work has started to build 11 new business units at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone with four already sold.

An East Lancashire businesswoman whose sandwich bar was ‘boosted’ by winning a Gold award in scheme promoting healthier eating choices for food outlet customers has urged others to sign up.

A Wyre councillor says she has advised worried constituents to attend new drop-in sessions offering updates on a probe into historic chemical contamination in Thornton.

Blackpool has received a grant for £1.8m towards planting new trees across the borough as part of a strategy to green up the town.

Blackpool is set to receive £2.3m of government funding to fix potholes across the town.

A £17m increase in Blackpool Council’s spending power next year has been welcomed by the council leader – but she warned it remains ‘impossible’ to turn the clock back on previous cuts.

Central Radio North West is delighted to announce that seasoned broadcaster Ian Shepherd will be joining our team as a presenter, bringing his unparalleled passion, flair, and connection to the community back to the airwaves.

A family have paid an emotional and loving tribute to a man who was ‘loved and liked by everybody’. 

Blackpool is to receive nearly £3m to tackle homelessness in the resort as latest figures show a rise in the number of people without a proper home.

A scheme to revive an Over Wyre pub which had fallen into near-dereliction is back with Wyre planners – a year after it was approved.

Voluntary, community and faith groups in an East Lancashire borough can now apply for small grants projects to tackle hate crime and divisive and extremist ideologies.

A Preston man is starting a nine-year prison sentence for sex offences. 

The daughters of the woman who sadly died following a collision in Nelson have paid a heartbreaking tribute to ‘the most awesomest mum’.

Fylde Council has announced the company in talks to take over the operation and reopening of Kirkham swimming pool have pulled out.

A demolition team has been appointed to bulldoze the former Bonny Street Police Station and magistrates courts paving the way for potential new developers to take over the Blackpool Central site.

Hundreds of thousands of pounds is to be spent upgrading facilities at two key areas of Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

A woman has died after a collision in Nelson over the weekend.

Fylde Council recently hosted a well-attended Bidders Day for potential St Annes Pool operators at the Town Hall.

Payments of just over £3.5m were made to external consultants by Blackpool Council last year with the biggest bill being £1.4m to experts for advice about the multiversity.

Construction has commenced to restore the 2.5km of pathway between Wyre Estuary Country Park, Stanah and Skippool Picnic Area and car park.

Eric Wright Civil Engineering, the principal contractor for the new Tram Bridge project, will be scaling back the construction site during the winter months and resuming work in Spring 2025.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has received the £1.6 million government grant needed to pay for hundreds of new electric vehicle charge points.

Three new bus services will begin on Monday (December 16) as part of a plan to encourage people to use public transport.

New figures show more people visited Blackpool seafront this summer – peaking at 6.8 million in July – despite setbacks including the cost of living crisis and riots.

Blackburn’s King George’s Hall has been hailed as the best entertainment venue in Lancashire outside Blackpool.

Blackpool residents can now recycle their vapes after the council’s waste management company Enveco came up with a solution to manage the growing number of e-cigarettes being disposed of.

The headteacher of a Preston sixth form college hit by strike action says he can understand why staff have resorted to walking out.

Police are investigating following the discovery of a cannabis grow in Chorley.

An investigation has been launched after a man died following a road traffic collision in Burnley.

A drink driver has been jailed for more than two years after causing a collision which resulted in a motorcyclist losing his leg.

Six men have been charged after a series of drugs warrants were executed across the Fylde coast.

The manager of a restaurant in Cleveleys has been sentenced after admitting a string of food hygiene offences.

Wyre Council has been working hard with external specialists Arcadis on a masterplan aimed at transforming the area along the waterfront at Fleetwood.

A rogue builder and roofer from Burnley has been jailed for 11 months after ripping off a string of victims.

The Royal Preston Hospital should be refurbished where it stands rather than a new one being built eight miles away in South Ribble.

Blackpool South MP Chris Webb has called for the town’s historic trams to be back running as soon as possible after the service was suspended.

Plans to build a new hotel alongside Blackpool’s Winter Gardens complex have finally received full approval after landscaping concerns were resolved.

Police are appealing for witnesses and footage after a pedestrian very sadly died following a collision in Darwen.

A man has been jailed after raping a teenager in Burnley.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is to earmark £1.6million to pay for 825 electric vehicle charge points by 2030.

Work to build a 110-space car park in Blackpool has begun – but has come under renewed criticism from those saying the space should have been developed into a town centre park instead.

The land sale agreement with collapsed developer Nikal Ltd has now been formally terminated by Blackpool Council – paving the way for a new investor to be found.

Police are appealing for witnesses and footage after a motorcyclist  died following a collision in Preston.

An extra £1million is to be pumped into the multi-million pound renovation of Blackburn’s King George’s Hall.

A building described as one of Preston’s ‘crown jewels’ is set to be brought back to life after plans for its refurbishment were given the go-ahead.

Plans to change a residential house in Cleveleys into a small children’s home have been refused by planners.

The most senior nurse in England says staff at the Royal Preston Hospital want to “take some pressure out of the system” to ensure patients receive the consistent care they deserve.

The number of bungalows to be built as part of an older persons’ village on the outskirts of Preston has more than doubled after plans to redesign the development were given the go-ahead.

An investigation is underway after a man died when a tree fell onto his van during Storm Darragh.

A former Lancashire Constabulary police officer has been jailed following a proactive investigation by the Anti-Corruption Unit.

Lytham Institute, a registered charity dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of Lytham and the surrounding areas, has announced the launch of a recruitment campaign to appoint six additional trustees.

£126,000 worth of cannabis was found after car stopped at M6 near Preston this week.

Burnley Council has called for a feasibility study into bringing back lighting to the whole of the M65 as part of safety review into East Lancashire’s main motorway.

Five Hyndburn organisations have been given grants from the council’s Cabinet Action Fund.

Fleetwood Town FC said they were disappointed to be made aware of an allegation of racism towards an opposition player.

Hyndburn residents have been asked for their views on the council’s ambitious proposals to redevelop Accrington town centre.

Plans to build 93 homes in the Norcross area between Thornton and Anchorsholme have been resubmitted to planners.

The Darwen town centre office of former Conservative MP Sir Jake Berry is to become a taxi booking hub.

A Blackburn man who took videos and boasted about driving dangerously has been jailed for 12 years.

A man from Blackpool has been jailed for five years after obtaining £22,000 through blackmail. 

Preston should be expanded to include parts of South Ribble, Wyre and Ribble Valley – creating a new ‘Greater Preston’ council area.

Controversial plans for a new prison on the border of Chorley and Leyland have been given the go-ahead by the government.

​Police have charged four men after cannabis with an estimated street value of more than £4 million was found in Blackpool. 

Preston’s council leader says some form of hospital should remain within the city itself – even if plans to open a new one in neighbouring South Ribble get the go ahead.

Plans to build a housing estate on a former quarry in Chorley have been given final go-ahead – more than a decade after they were first mooted.

Lancashire Police has launched its seasonal drug and drink driving crackdown.

An RAF veteran from Lytham is asking local people to send messages of support this Christmas to veterans who are struggling with physical and mental challenges.

Teens were illegally sold knives by more than one in three shops in the latest undercover tests by Lancashire County Council's Trading Standards and Lancashire Police.

The NHS has revealed where it is provisionally planning to build the new hospitals promised for Preston and Lancaster.

American rock band Kings of Leon will headline the opening night of the 2025 Lytham Festival.

The leaders of South Ribble and Chorley councils have suggested joining up with West Lancashire to form a single local authority for the entire area.

A man has died after he was hit by a car in Preston that failed to stop at the scene.

Martin Kemp wowed the crowds of Accrington as over 12,000 people turned out to watch his fantastic ‘Back to the Eighties Show’ at the #AmazingAccrington Christmas Light Switch On.

A new local campaign has been launched to safeguard Preston's Cenotaph and reinforce its role as a space of respect, remembrance, and community reverence.

A major milestone in the development of a new second home for Lancashire Cricket has been reached, one year on from construction of the new Farington cricket facility commencing.

A Fleetwood man has been jailed for his part in the disorder in Blackpool in the summer.

A call to ditch Blackpool’s extended Illuminations season because it is not cost-effective has been dismissed by council bosses who say the Lights provide a massive boost to the resort.

The MP for Fylde has warned the creation of a single coastal council encompassing Blackpool would be “disastrous” for the wider area.

A row over landscaping around a proposed new landmark hotel looks set to be resolved after the developer agreed to pay out for tree planting elsewhere.

Calls have been made for more expensive Saturday funerals to be brought in line with the cost of a weekday service to help reduce delays for mourners.

Police are appealing for information after two people were injured by a dog in Blackpool.

Preston’s largest and oldest park is set for an overhaul that will see one of its historic features given a new lease of life.

Thousands of pounds worth of illicit tobacco products have been seized from two shops in Rossendale.

Plans to bring a piece of Preston’s history back to life look set to get the go-ahead.

Blackpool Council is seeking views on a draft masterplan for Stanley Park.

Lancashire has moved a step closer to being handed a raft of new powers after the county’s devolution deal reached a milestone moment in Parliament.

Investment which is a vital step towards eventually restoring scheduled flights to Blackpool Airport has taken another stride forward.

Residents in Fylde say the borough council could have done more to raise awareness and challenge controversial plans to site windfarm cables and substations across the area.

Blackburn with Darwen’s two new gritters have been given champion names to celebrate Rovers’ Premier League winning double strike force.

The number of councillors and the political map in another East Lancashire borough is to be reviewed.

Organisers of this year’s ‘Preston Weekender’ have confirmed that the event will return across the Bank Holiday weekend of May 3rd and 4th, 2025.

A delayed scheme to build a new community sports village alongside Blackpool Football Club looks set to be amended before the investment can begin.

Christmas is coming to Hyndburn, and light switch-on events are happening across the Borough.

Around £2m of the money so far spent on building Preston’s new cinema, restaurant and leisure complex has gone to companies within Central Lancashire, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) can reveal.

Plans to turn a private medical practice in Garstang into apartments have been approved by planners at Wyre.

Earlier this month, officers from East Lancashire were out conducting an underage sales operation as part of Operation Sceptre, a national week of action to tackle knife crime.

626 knives have been recovered throughout East Lancashire as part of Operation Sceptre, a national week-long initiative to tackle knife crime.

The family of a woman who died following a collision in Bamber Bridge last month have paid tribute to her.

Police have arrested five men and two women as part of an investigation into theft of prescription drugs from pharmacies in East Lancashire.

A man has been jailed for more than five years for manufacturing a firearm.

Fylde Council has launched the procurement process for the new contract to manage St Annes swimming pool.

Hyndburn Council and Morgan Sindall Construction welcomed County Councillors Aidy Riggott and Carole Haythornthwaite for a site visit to see how the exciting scheme is shaping up.

Police have charged a teenager following disorder in Bacup town centre.

Over 400 knives have been taken off the streets across Lancashire’s South Division as part of Operation Sceptre, a national week-long initiative to tackle knife crime which took place last week.

Abingdon Street Market’s retail area has already reached one year of trading.

A new food outlet is set to open on the site of a former car showroom in Preston – but mystery still surrounds the company that will be operating it.

Council chiefs will start seeking a new developer early next year after plans for a £300m leisure scheme in the heart of Blackpool collapsed.

One of Blackpool’s oldest pubs has re-opened following a £200,000 investment which included rebuilding the front of the venue which was at risk of collapse.

Former Blackpool MPs have paid tribute to John Prescott who was a regular visitor to the resort during his time in government.

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of illegal money lending following an operation in the Blackburn area.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a collision in Preston left a man with serious injuries.

The restoration of Preston’s Moor Park did not begin in earnest until last week – more than two months after the Radio 2 In The Park gig that left parts of it a muddy wasteland.

Traffic jam-busting technology such as ‘smart’ junctions will be used to improve travel times in Blackpool town centre thanks to a multi-million pound injection of cash.

Police are appealing for information after £10,000 of model trains stolen were stolen from an address in Cleveleys.

Police want to speak to a number of people after a man was seriously assaulted in Darwen.

Burnley’s annual Christmas Lights Switch-On ‘Burnley Believes ‘proved to be a dazzling success at the weekend, attracting thousands of visitors to the town centre for a day of festive magic.

During the festive period, free parking sessions will be available every Friday and Saturday at Wyre Council car parks.

A burglar who targeted businesses and student accommodation buildings in Preston has been jailed.

Blackpool is preparing to bid a fond farewell to one of the most successful events seasons on record with a free family celebration on New Year’s Eve.

Officers from Chorley and South Ribble’s Neighbourhood Policing team have teamed up with Trading Standards and young volunteers from across the area to conduct an under-age sales operation.

Wyre Council has purchased its first empty home as part of the Affordable Housing Delivery Programme.

A man has received a lengthy prison sentence after he attempted to murder a man in his own home last Christmas.

Blackpool’s spectacular Christmas By The Sea village is open – with a helping hand from the stars of Strictly Come Dancing.

Blackpool has been handed a £6m boost towards two key regeneration projects in the town.

A pub on Cleveleys seafront which has frequently been empty since it was built 18 years ago is now to become a veterinary practice.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s ruling executive board has rubber stamped spending £1.6million on taking full ownership of the Thwaites brewery site.

A new multi-million pound estate of 152 social homes for affordable rent is set to move a step closer this week.

A new apartment block is to be built in Preston city centre in spite of concerns about its height.

A gang of drug dealers have been jailed for nearly 90 years. 

Detectives investigating the murder of Kevin Price in Blackpool have charged two people.

An investigation into a fire which caused significant damage to a building on Church Street, Preston, is continuing.

A long-awaited new Aldi store in Accrington is back on the starting blocks after councillors sorted out a planning conditions blunder.

Uber drivers in Blackpool are charging as little as 36p for a two mile journey, it has been claimed, with fears raised such low fares mean cabbies will not be able to sustain their livelihoods.

The rising cost of baby milk is causing hardship for many Blackpool families – with some even resorting to shoplifting so they can bottle-feed their babies.

Nine groups of volunteers based in Lancashire have been honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Around two thirds of people in Blackpool who have responded so far to a survey about assisted dying say they would support legislation to allow terminally ill adults to end their life.

A new McDonald’s drive-thru is set to open on the site of a disused pub in Chorley – but councillors have stepped in to prevent it operating around the clock.

As the excitement builds for Chorley’s Christmas Lights Switch On taking place on Sunday, Chorley Council and Chorley FC have made a further exciting announcement about the special guests.

 A former support teacher from Burnley living with a brain tumour was told she had only six months to live – seven years ago.

Blackpool is preparing to launch a magnificent programme of Christmas entertainment – with a sprinkling of Strictly stardust!

The University of Central Lancashire has teamed up with the Chorley Taxi Association to capture people’s views on taxi use in the county.

Preston City Council has said it will “vigorously” defend itself after it was threatened with being sued – potentially for more than £2m – by another local authority 240 miles away.

Discover Blackburn has announced the launch of the Festival of the Moon this November, an exciting event series set to transform Blackburn town centre into a radiant celebration of art, light, and community.

A murder inquiry is underway after the body of a man was found in Blackpool.

A primary school headteacher has welcomed vital safety features that have been revitalised as part of a major resurfacing scheme on a busy road in Accrington.

A £65m regeneration project in the heart of Blackpool will be put at risk if permission is not given to clear the site, a public inquiry has been told.

A vandalised and vacant former health centre building has been earmarked for new flats and houses.

Proposals for new sheltered housing in Blackpool have got the go ahead in order to meet an ‘overwhelming need’ for this type of accommodation in the town.

A number of stores across the Fylde coast sold a bladed item to an underage person in a recent test purchase operation.

Fylde Council has approved an extension of their Kirkham Pool Disposal Plan with the YMCA to a backstop date of 17th February 2025.

Blackburn with Darwen has been chosen to take part in a groundbreaking workplace heart health check programme.

Christmas is coming to town as Burnley prepares to light up the season with its most magical event of the year.

A woman has died in hospital following a collision in Bamber Bridge last month.

Preston's Christmas Lights Switch On is set to be a Christmas cracker this year.

Further details have been announced for three spectacular events taking place in Great Harwood over the festive period, with one of the UK’s most popular Taylor Swift Tribute Acts set to perform.

Coronation Street and Benidorm star Tony Maudsley plus singer Nathan Moore have been revealed as the special guests doing the honours of turning Leyland’s Christmas Lights On for 2024.

Blackburn’s much-anticipated Christmas lights switch-on event is set to take place on Saturday, November 23.

Chorley’s Christmas Lights Switch On will return at the weekend, and this year are being switched on by a boyband star.

Vital local bus services around the Accrington area have been revamped including new Saturday services set to be rolled out as part of a reorganisation of the routes.

An estate made up entirely of affordable homes is to be built on the outskirts of Preston.

Lancashire will need to see an eight-fold increase in the number of electric vehicle charging points by the end of the decade, it has been estimated.

A man who stabbed someone before causing a lengthy stand off with police has been jailed.

Hyndburn Police, working together with Trading Standards seized a large quantity of illegal goods from an empty commercial property in Oswaldtwistle.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is set to spend £1.6million on taking full ownership of the Thwaites brewery site.

Controversial plans to turn a large residential home in Cleveleys into a house of multiple occupation (HMO) have been approved by planners at Wyre.

Nearly 900 homes are standing empty across Pendle, of which over 200 are in the Colne area, councillors are informed in a new report.

A man who organised cross-Channel small boat crossings from his home in Preston has been jailed for 17 years after being found guilty of people smuggling charges, following an investigation by the National Crime Agency.

Three men have been arrested after fireworks were thrown at police officers.

Police are appealing for witnesses and information after a man suffered serious injuries during an assault in Accrington.

People are being urged to ensure they dispose of batteries responsibly after an e-bike sparked a blaze which closed down Blackpool’s tip.

It was a place of learning for many years, but 10 years after its closure the site of the former Bispham High School is now being transformed for 21st century living.

A raft of new and refurbished sports facilities are set to be installed in a Preston park as part of a £3.2m revamp.

Blackpool Council is set to launch a consultation into their multi-million pound plans to extend sea defence works in Anchorsholme.

Millions of pounds of drugs have been discovered when police raided a property in Fleetwood.

The speed limits on several roads in Chorley are set to be cut over safety concerns.

The role played by Blackpool FC fans in pushing for new rules for football club owners has been recognised by the government minister at the helm of new legislation.

Proposals for a giant new windfarm on moorland above East Lancashire have been revealed.

The refurbishment of one of Lancashire’s oldest swimming baths has been branded a “waste of money” after it emerged the general public can now use the facility for just three hours a week.

Proposals to build more than 50 homes in Preesall are this week to go before Wyre planners for the third time.

Work will continue on plans to build brand new hospitals for Preston and Lancaster as Lancashire NHS bosses await the outcome of a government review of the schemes, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands.

The Blackpool South MP has been mugged by a gang in London.

A sniffer dog has hunted down thousands of hidden illegal vapes and cigarettes as part of a crackdown at shops across Preston.

Blackpool should follow in the footsteps of Manchester to build an indoor concert arena, according to one of the town’s MPs.

One of Blackpool’s oldest pubs was in danger of collapse after its historic frontage was found to be crumbling away.

An organisation aiming to strengthen community cohesion, tackle youth problems and boost people’s health with gym, cafe, games and meeting spaces is asking Pendle Council to help tackle a £100,000 shortfall for a new garden and youth centre in Nelson, citing rising costs.

Blackburn with Darwen Council Leader Phil Riley has written to Northern raising “significant” concerns regarding the frequent Sunday train cancellations at Blackburn train station.

More reports of noise, damage, anti-social behaviour, sex in public areas, drugs and drunkenness in Whalley have been raised at Ribble Valley Council.

The number of patients admitted to hospital in Central Lancashire with malnutrition has leapt in the space of a year.

Councillors are calling for an urgent safety review of the M65 through East Lancashire after a string of fatal crashes.

Police asking for your help after a 12-year-old boy suffered serious injuries following a collision.

A man is in hospital with burns after an explosion at a house in Preston.

Ambitious plans to tackle town centre congestion in Blackpool have been given the green light by the Government.

Planners have reined in proposals for a stable block to house Blackpool’s famous landau horses on a residential street, despite the area’s history for keeping the animals.