Central Radio News

The Harris has enjoyed a busy time after unveiling its £19m redevelopment project, significantly surpassing visitor targets and receiving overwhelmingly positive public feedback.

More than 1100 knives have been taken off the streets across Lancashire’s East Division as part of Sceptre, a national week-long initiative to tackle knife crime.

The cost of repairing and refurbishing Blackburn’s King George’s Hall has soared by 50 per cent from £9million to £13.5m.

The firm that operated a highly controversial fracking site in Fylde has been told that it cannot have another two years to restore the plot – after it emerged it had not made proper use of a previous extension.

Police say an eight-year-old boy suffered a head injury after a school bus hit a bridge in Coppull.

A man has been convicted of attempting to kill a man in Blackburn earlier this year.

Preston is set to witness a landmark moment in its heritage as the Tram Bridge is lifted into place, following the demolition of the old structure and the reimagining of this historic crossing.

Police in Lancashire are aiming to make sure it’s a bleak winter for criminals with the launch of a new crime crackdown for Christmas and beyond.

More than 700 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.

Plans are in the pipeline to bring a disused former bank in Kirkham back into use.

A housing scheme which would have seen more than 200 homes built in Poulton has been refused by planners.

Lancashire Police are urging motorists not to drink or drug drive throughout the festive season.

A Chorley man died two days after being assaulted by a friend in a pub beer garden in an argument over food they were eating.

Moor Park Primary School is considering ambitions plans to extend its SEND provision and has launched a consultation with a range of groups about the proposals.

Parkwood Leisure has been named as the new operator for Wyre’s leisure centres in Fleetwood, Garstang, Poulton and Thornton, replacing YMCA Fylde Coast from April.

Blackpool’s premium cinema scene is entering a thrilling new era with the launch of The Arc Cinema at the former Backlot Cinema site.

A woman in her 80s has suffered serious injuries in a collision in Preston.

Detectives are appealing for a key witness to come forward after a person was found dead at Preston railway station on Saturday morning.

Preparations for the long-awaited Tram Bridge lift in Preston are almost complete, with the 75-metre crane due to reach full height today [Saturday].

Blackpool Council is making it easier than ever to enjoy the festive season in the town with the return of the popular Christmas parking offer.

A man has been found guilty of killing Kirk Marsden in Blackburn.

Preston City Council has become the latest authority in Lancashire to push for the cancellation of next year’s local elections – prompting opposition politicians to cry foul.

The first deliveries of new bins for Blackpool – including brown ones- have arrived as part of the shake-up of waste collections coming in next year.

A man who lured a child to a house in Blackburn before sexually assaulting her has been jailed.

A family have paid an emotional and loving tribute to a ‘truly special’ man who died following a collision on the M65 last week. 

A paedophile has been jailed after sexually assaulting young girls in Burnley.

A man has been given a prison sentence of more than 20 years for raping and sexually assaulting a girl.

Blackpool Council has formally confirmed its proposals to merge with Preston to form a new council.

Pendle Rise shopping centre in Nelson has closed its doors for the last time ahead of demolition, as part of the huge Nelson Town Deal regeneration scheme.

Wyre Council is inviting residents, businesses, and visitors to share their views on exciting plans to rejuvenate Fleetwood’s waterfront.

A man from Merseyside has been jailed after he repeatedly stamped on a gull, killing the animal.

Three men have been jailed for their roles in trafficking large amounts of cannabis throughout the North West.  

A historic Preston property that played a pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution could be turned into apartments.

A £250,000 project to upgrade an East Lancashire town’s ‘green lung’ and protect it from motorbike riders is now moving on to its second stage aimed at making it more wildlife friendly.

MP Lorraine Beavers has made a renewed call for the restoration of Fleetwood’s rail link.

Campaigners striving to keep the Fleetwood to Knott End ferry have welcomed reports that funding has now been secured until 2029.

Vault Youth Zone, Preston’s new purpose-built facility dedicated to supporting young people, is celebrating hitting a major milestone as it has officially received the keys to its state-of-the-art building.

A burglar who targeted homes in Leyland and threatened to torch a man’s car has been jailed.

Lancashire County Council is encouraging men to take a stand against violence towards women and support this year's White Ribbon Campaign.

International multi-award-winning superstar Michael Bublé is heading to the Lytham Festival in 2026.

Police are investigating following the discovery of a cannabis farm in Preston.

An online plea has meant an elderly couple can enjoy one last visit to Blackpool’s famous Tower Ballroom where they used to go dancing.

Two men have been jailed after assaulting a man and stealing his bank cards and phone in Burnley.

A controversial review that has placed a question mark over the futures of five Lancashire care homes will not be cancelled, the politician leading the process has said.

The Proud Preston 2026 Awards has been launched, celebrating the city's unsung heroes and organisations.

Chorley Council is to ask the government to cancel the local elections due to take place in the borough next year.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man in his 30s died in a collision on the M65 near Burnley.

Former world champion boxer Jane Couch is calling for Fleetwood to get its pier back.

Clitheroe’s hugely popular food festival could be extended to a two-day event. next summer.

Blackburn have beaten Preston 2-1 in the Lancashire derby in the Championship.

New affordable homes on a Blackburn ‘eyesore’ have been hailed as good news for the area.

Lancashire County Council will tell the government that just two new local authorities should be created to replace the 15 that currently exist across Lancashire, as part of a radical shake-up being ordered by ministers.

Minor design changes to a long-delayed new pub-restaurant in suburban Preston have been given the go-ahead – paving the way for it to finally open next year.

The driver an £100k supercar which was engulfed in a fireball after crashing into a house in St Annes has been jailed.

A paedophile has been jailed after raping  a 12-year-old girl in a car park in Penwortham.

Three members of a drugs gang involved in the trafficking of heroin and crack cocaine into Lancashire from Merseyside, have been jailed.

Proposals to demolish two hotels and replace them with 51 modern apartments on Blackpool’s South Shore promenade have finally been approved by planners.

Accrington Stanley supporters will have several opportunities to meet players from Accrington Stanley and Accrington Stanley Women as part of the Christmas Lights Switch On.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has been served with an ‘improvement notice’ by the Heath and Safety Executive over the death of a mother-of-two hit by a falling tree branch in one of its municipal parks in August.

A council boss has promised his authority is working to resolve its row with a football club over noise from its function suites as residents express concern over lack of action.

Protesters against a stinking landfill site say the waste deposits are getting steadily higher and have called on the site to be either suspended or closed for good.

A Burnley man has been handed a lengthy jail term for raping a 15-year-old at an address in the town.

A man who drove a van at a group of people in Poulton-le-Fylde, causing life changing injuries to one man, has been jailed.

Visitors to Fairhaven Lake can look forward to a new visitor centre after Fylde Council approved plans to transform the iconic Pagoda building.

Residents with FY postcodes can now enjoy unbeatable savings at some of Blackpool’s most iconic attractions, thanks to a new initiative from Blackpool Tourism Limited.

A new awards is launching to help celebrate the great work done by Prestonians across the city.

A man who stamped on an unconscious man in Blackburn has been sent to prison.

A man who broke into the bungalow of a bedbound man and carried out a sickening assault on him with weapons has been jailed.

Two people have admitted to kidnapping a baby in Blackpool.

A man has been jailed after leaving a pensioner in her 80s with serious injuries following a collision in Walton-le-Dale.

Police are issuing an urgent warning for people to be on the lookout for bogus callers after a conman tried to scam an elderly and vulnerable pensioner out of almost £80,000.

Works to create a new road from Common Edge Road to Blackpool Enterprise Zone on Amy Johnson Way are moving to the next phase.

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

Fresh proposals for two rides to operate either side of Blackpool’s famous South Pier have been submitted to planners months after being refused.

A former Preston pub is to become a home for vulnerable adults.

South Ribble Borough Council has become the first local authority to formally back a plan to create four new councils to cover the whole of Lancashire.

Three volunteer groups from Lancashire have received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, presented as part of the King’s Birthday Honours.

Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain says he’s stepping away from the team setting up Your Party - the group headed by Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn.

A group of three Blackpool GP surgeries has been put into special measures after a CQC inspection judged care to be inadequate.

Teaching and research staff at Lancaster University will strike for two days later this month in a dispute over potential job losses.

Two brothers who carried out a string of house burglaries across Lancashire have been jailed. 

A man has been jailed after a cannabis farm was discovered in Accrington.

Calls have been made for a world-class arena to be built on the Blackpool Central site, which has been earmarked for multi-million pound regeneration projects.

Blackpool’s ambitious £65m Multiversity scheme is pressing ahead as planned – but the council is looking to ensure there are no potential hold-ups to slow the project down.

A man has been jailed after stalking a woman in Preston.

A man has been jailed for raping a woman he met on a night out in Darwen.

Police are appealing for witnesses and footage after a motorcyclist suffered serious injuries in a collision in Great Harwood.

Ambitious plans to build almost 400 new homes on the outskirts of Preston City Centre appear to have been put on long-term hold.

Blackpool Council is looking into alternative models of residential care for children in the face of the “unsustainable” £21 million a year costs of private care provision.

More than 150 jobs are expected to be created after plans to modernise a South Ribble industrial development were given the go ahead.

Plans have been submitted to transform two empty units in Poulton’s Teanlowe Centre into a banking hub.

A Preston newsagent who flouted a court order banning them from selling vapes and tobacco has been fined £4,000 and hit with court costs.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after another man was found with several injuries at a property in Church.

Three men have been sentenced for their part in the supply of drugs in Blackburn.

A song celebrating Darwen is now available to pre-order in advance of its release with hopes high it will feature on the streaming charts.

A man has been charged following a serious collision in Broughton last month.

Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage after a pensioner died following a road traffic collision in Blackburn on Saturday.

A man has been jailed for committing a sex act in front of a child in a restaurant toilet in Rawtenstall.

Wyre Council has announced the successful completion of the revitalisation of the Young People’s Place on Windsor Road, Garstang.

The fate of a former Preston pub has been sealed after plans to flatten it were given the go-ahead.

The £9m transformation of Preston’s historic Amounderness House into modern, flexible workspace is underway with work starting on site.

At a recent gala celebrating a century of community cinema with Cinema for All, Chorley’s Empire Community Cinema scooped an award recognising its important role in the community.

Blackpool Council’s services for children are continuing to improve, a new Ofsted report says.

Proposals for a temporary ice rink at Lytham have hit a setback – despite being given the go ahead by local planners.

Blackpool Council is taking the next major step in delivering a first data centre as part of plans for Silicon Sands, a flagship digital infrastructure project at the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.

A popular festive food and craft event which is staged annually on the Fylde coast will not be taking place this year.

The multi-million pound regeneration of a much-loved Art Deco pub in Blackpool has seen a large part of the structure being demolished.

Police are appealing for witnesses and footage after a child was left seriously injured following a road traffic collision in Blackpool.

Blackpool is getting a £6.85m upgrade to street lighting in a bid to cut carbon emissions and electricity costs. 

The government could be asked to cancel some of the local elections scheduled to take place in Lancashire next year, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands.

A train has derailed on the West Coast Main Line this morning.

Plans for a major expansion of the M&S store on Preston’s Deepdale Shopping Park have been given the green light.

A bogus builder from Blackpool who conned his victims out of thousands of pounds has been jailed.

Police are appealing for CCTV and dashcam footage following a serious collision in Preston.

Police have charged three teenagers with attempted murder following an incident in Blackpool which left a man with serious stab injuries.

Police have launched a murder investigation after a man was fatally injured in Bacup this morning.

Calls have been made to suspend a controversial ‘bus gate’ in Preston that’s caught more than 80,000 motorists – and generated £2.6m in fines – in its first year of operation.

Some of Blackpool’s newest Illuminations have been rubbished by a leading councillor – prompting a rousing defence of them by the council leader.

Four more people have been arrested as detectives continue to investigate a wounding in Blackpool which left a man with serious stab injuries.

24 illegal E-bikes and E-scooters have been seized in Preston as part of continued action to tackle anti-social behaviour and nuisance vehicles.

Police are appealing for information after a collision in the Broughton area left a man with serious injuries.

From April 2026, all councils in England are to introduce weekly food waste collections as part of the UK Government’s Simpler Recycling initiative, designed to make recycling more consistent and effective across the country.

Lancashire is taking steps to tackle roadwork disruption on its busiest routes – with a potential Lane Rental Scheme now under serious consideration.

A new Greggs branch is to open alongside one of the busiest routes in Preston.

Police have launched an investigation after a man was stabbed in Blackpool.

A man believed to be the brother of a people smuggling kingpin caught following an investigation by the National Crime Agency has been jailed for more than five-and-a-half years for helping him transport people to the UK.

A man has died after a collision on the M6 in Lancashire last night.

A new cycleway and footpath linking South Ribble with Preston Railway Station has officially opened.

Rossendale Police, alongside partner agencies, conducted another successful day of action to address concerns raised by residents in the local community.

A man from East Lancashire who encouraged a child to self-harm has been jailed.

A special ceremony will take place at the world-famous Blackpool Tower Circus to celebrate the unveiling of a Blue Heritage Plaque honouring one of Britain’s most beloved circus performers, Charlie Cairoli.

Potential buyers are in discussions over the sale of Blackpool’s iconic North Pier, one of the town’s top attractions.

Plans to develop a new secondary school in Preston were held up for a year by a delay in handing back a small plot of land – temporarily acquired for a roadbuilding project – to its original owner, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) can reveal.

Blackpool’s spectacular Christmas By The Sea village is returning for 2025.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is inviting public feedback on its draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy as it seeks to further cut the number of people living on its streets.

People who regularly use buses run by Blackpool Transport are being urged to have their say on how the services can be improved.

Proposals for 38 new homes in Over Wyre have been submitted to planners as part of a major outline planning application.

Ambitious proposals for a new multi-million pound Fisherman’s Friend factory in Fleetwood are still going through the planning process – despite the scheme being given approval two years ago.

A Burger King branch is set to be built in the car park of Leyland’s Tesco Extra store after getting the green light from councillors.

Lytham will be transformed into a glittering winter wonderland again next year, as the Fylde Ice Festival returns to the town for its fourth year in 2026.

An East Lancashire shop has been ordered to close for three months after hoarding  illegal vapes and tobacco and selling a vape to a child.

A shoplifter who stabbed a security guard as he fled from a store near to Preston city centre, has been sentenced to 22 and a half years in prison.

A huge illuminated drone display over Stanley Park caught many people out this week as they were driving past.

People in Blackburn with Darwen can access free support across key public venues.

The completion of two key projects for the regeneration of Accrington town square has slipped back to July next year.

A child rapist from East Lancashire has been given a sentence totalling 16 years.

Preston City Council has put forward a raft of measures at a cost of over £800,000 that will support residents on the lowest incomes as the cost of living crisis continues.

Blackpool looks set to get a new bowling alley as details of new leisure plans at the former Odeon Cinema have been revealed for the first time.

Controversial plans to develop a quarry in a quiet Over Wyre village have been thrown out today – prompting spontaneous applause in a council chamber.

One of Blackpool’s most distinctive festivals has been extended – bringing some extra colour and brightness to the dark nights of autumn.

The repurposing of Great Harwood’s historic Mercer Hall has taken a major step forward towards its reopening schedule for December.

Ambitious plans to build a sizable food store at Norcross may have been approved – but planners have stipulated the application was not specific to M&S.

Amir Morani Fireworks, a pyrotechnics team from India, have been crowned the first champions of Blackpool’s annual World Fireworks competition.

A Burnley man has been jailed in his absence for the attempted rape of an 11-year-old girl.

Police are appealing for witnesses and footage following a fatal collision in Kirkham over the weekend.

Blackpool has been selected to join the inaugural class of a new European city leadership initiative – and the move is expected to benefit the town in key ways.

Show homes are now open for inspection at a new housing development in Thornton – but a ward councillor says a chance has been missed to preserve a precious archaeological site on the land.

Problems with the cameras set up to monitor Preston’s newest bus lane are the reason that motorists are not yet being fined if they break the rules, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) can reveal.

A man has been jailed for assaulting staff while a patient at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

A woman has been jailed after attempting to abduct a baby girl in Blackpool.

Amended plans have been submitted to Preston City Council for the full demolition of the Tithebarn Pub.

Police have arrested a man following the discovery of a cannabis grow in Leyland.

There will be an enhanced tram timetable to help visitors during the final performance in the World Fireworks Championships 2025, says Blackpool Transport.

A new £2million home for children with complex mental health needs and challenging behaviour is to be developed by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

A call has been made for the removal of Rolf Harris’ name from Blackpool’s famous Comedy Carpet because of the late entertainer’s conviction for sexual offences.

A host of outdoor pursuits including tomahawk axe-throwing, air rifle shooting and archery are planned at a forest school site in Rossendale.

A new ‘sports village’ could be created on the outskirts of Preston as part of plans to build up to 250 homes.

Preston’s St. John’s Shopping Centre could be flattened to make way for more than 500 apartments, a new NHS neighbourhood health facility and a smaller number of replacement shops.

Youth football teams in Pendle potentially face having to leave a college’s playing fields in Colne.

A man has been left with life changing injuries following a collision in Leyland.

A further phase of soil sampling is underway in Thornton-Cleveleys as part of an ongoing inspection related to historic activity at a nearby chemical facility.

Police are appealing for witnesses and footage after a collision involving a police vehicle and a car in Fleetwood on Tuesday.

Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following a serious collision that left a man with serious injuries on the M55.

AI bots are to be deployed alongside call centre staff at Lancashire County Council to assist with answering residents’ queries.

Leyland’s annual Music in the Park event has been axed amid a surge in the prices charged by artists on the concert circuit – and no sign of the gig breaking even anytime soon.

The most successful duo in UK music history, Pet Shop Boys, are heading Lytham Festival 2026.

Blackpool Football Club say they’re ‘appalled’ that a racist message was received by one of their players via social media.

Illegal e-bikes, e-scooters and off-road bikes have been seized from the streets in Blackburn as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour.

The opening of a controversial and problem-plagued new East Lancashire sports and fitness centre will be celebrated with a weekend of free events and taster sessions later this month.

Blackpool’s N-Vision sight loss charity has announced a range of new services for Lancashire.

Fylde Council is calling for government support to protect local housing for its residents.

Fourteen new surveillance cameras will soon be installed across Preston city centre as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to making streets safer for everyone.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has received expert advice that there was nothing it could have done to prevent the tragic incident in which a mother of two was killed by a falling branch in one of its parks.

A man has been jailed after admitting multiple rape charges.

The Harris’ spectacular reopening weekend saw thousands of visitors flocking to experience the blockbuster 'Wallace & Gromit in A Case at the Museum' exhibition and explore the £19 million transformed cultural landmark.

GRAMMY nominated musician Teddy Swims has been announced as the first 2026 Lytham Festival headliner.

A family have paid tribute to a ‘clever, caring and compassionate’ teenager who died in a fatal collision near Blackburn earlier this week.

Work to renovate an iconic Blackpool town centre building has completed, as it prepares for a new future as a hub for growing local businesses.

As The Harris prepares to welcome visitors back through its doors, excitement is building for its reopening exhibition, Wallace and Gromit in A Case at the Museum.

A man been jailed for more than 20 years after subjecting a young woman to a horrific kidnap and rape ordeal in Leyland.

Motorists are being warned that Fishergate bus lane in Preston city centre will become operational again from next week.

Residents and visitors can follow a journey of discovery as Fylde Council’s Head of Tourism, Tim Dixon, sets off on a three-day, 40-mile adventure walking the district border of Fylde in aid of the Mayoral charities.

A man has been arrested after drugs were discovered when a car was stopped in Darwen.

In preparation for the Government’s new Simpler Recycling legislation, Blackpool is set to trial a new waste collection system designed to make recycling easier and more accessible for residents.

Police have charged a man with murder following the death of Gary Carlisle in Preston.

24 illegal off-road bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters have been seized in Burnley as part of a day of action to tackle anti-social behaviour and nuisance vehicles.

Anti-fracking campaigners in Lancashire have urged the government to fulfil a manifesto pledge to ban the process “for good”.

VisitBlackpool, organisers of World Fireworks Championship Blackpool, have confirmed a new date for the cancelled show from Team India, which was due to take place on Saturday 13 September. 

A woman in her 60s has died after being hit by a lorry in Colne.

Preston Pride, the celebration of the city’s LGBTQ+ community, has announced details of the 2025 event later this month.