Shuiab Khan

Hollytree Tap, a 45-seat micropub in Pinewood, Blackburn, has been named the Lancashire Telegraph’s Best Pub 2026 after winning a reader vote against nine other businesses. Brothers Paul and Gary Doyle opened the pub in November 2025 after converting a former TV repair and pet shop premises. The pub is known for its quiet, traditional atmosphere, phone-free ethos and support for local charities. The owners credited customers, staff, family and friends for helping establish the business.

Padiham resident Anthony “Tony” Williams completed a 300-kilometre Camino de Santiago trek from Porto to Santiago de Compostela, raising £400 for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation in memory of his friend Mark McManus, who died from cancer. Williams, who has completed four Camino routes, described the pilgrimage as spiritual and said it had contributed to improved health and diabetes remission. Rosemere praised his fundraising and encouragement of others interested in undertaking the route.

Nearly half of Westholme School’s Sixth Form students achieved A*-A grades in their A-levels, while nine subjects recorded a 100% A*-B pass rate. Principal Paul Taylor and head of Sixth Form Jonathan Oracz praised the students’ hard work, resilience and support from the school’s academic team. Leavers are set to continue their education at leading universities including Oxford, Imperial College London and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Police are investigating after the remains of a foetus were found near the River Hodder beneath Hodder Bridge and Cromwell Bridge on Whalley Road, near Stonyhurst. Officers appealed for witnesses, dashcam footage and information from anyone who was in the area between August 9 and 11.

Northern will run fewer trains on selected routes in Greater Manchester, the North West and Yorkshire because extreme heat is increasing the risk of railway and train reliability problems. Passengers travelling on August 13 are advised to check their journeys, allow extra time and expect possible cancellations or short-notice timetable changes. The Met Office has issued an Amber Extreme Heat warning, with temperatures forecast to reach about 37°C in parts of south-west England and around 30°C in the North West.

A large pile of bricks left outside a property on Audley Range in Blackburn was removed after residents and drivers raised concerns that it was obstructing valuable parking spaces on the busy road. Contractors are generally required to use skips for construction waste, but the bricks had remained by the roadside over the weekend before being cleared during the week.

Nelson Community Masjid has urged drivers to stop revving high-performance cars late at night, saying the noise is disturbing babies, elderly people, shift workers and ill residents in Nelson, Brierfield and surrounding areas. The mosque used humorous messaging to highlight the issue, which residents and community members praised. Lancashire Police advise reporting noise problems to local councils and note that vehicle exhausts must not be modified to exceed approved noise levels.

The Echo Weekender has announced its full line-up for a two-day festival at Waddow Hall near Clitheroe. Saturday will be headlined by The Farm and feature Ben Ofoedu, DJ Paul Taylor, Jacob Reddy and other acts, while Nathan Moore will top Sunday’s bill alongside tribute performers including The Freddie and Queen Experience, ABBA Fever and Courtnay Reddy as Avril Lavigne. The event will also offer DJs, family activities, a funfair, street food, bars and camping.

A 31-year-old Blackburn man was arrested after allegedly failing to stop for police, driving at twice the speed limit and travelling the wrong way along Pritchard Street during a pursuit. The BMW M6 crashed into a stationary vehicle and a wall. The man was arrested by the Specialist Operations Armed Policing team on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to provide a breath test and remained in custody. Chief Inspector John Jennings-Wharton said the vehicle had previously evaded officers and warned that dangerous or impaired driving would lead to arrest and court proceedings.

Police are investigating reports that two 11-year-old girls were sexually assaulted in Burnley between 1:30pm and 2:30pm on August 6. The girls reportedly fled and sought help, while a 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. Officers are appealing for witnesses, CCTV, dashcam footage and mobile-phone recordings from the Pendle Way, Gannow Lane, nearby subway, Adamson Street and St John's Road areas.