Lancashirecounty

A sewer collapsed near Stubbylee Park in Bacup, creating a sinkhole on Stubbylee Lane that was approximately two feet deep and across. United Utilities made a temporary repair to make the site safe, and the hole has since been filled in, though a full sewer repair is yet to be completed. Local councillor James Eaton raised concerns about the danger to park users and the risk posed to larger vehicles needing access to properties further up the lane.

A 72-year-old man has been charged with racially abusing nurses at an NHS facility in Lytham on 8 March. Fylde Police arrested Michael Robert Mason, of Warton, after staff reported he had used racially abusive comments and language towards them. He has been charged with a racially or religiously aggravated public order offence of intentional harassment, alarm or distress, and is due to appear at Lancaster Magistrates' Court on 20 November.

Several people have been sentenced at magistrates courts across Lancashire. The Lancashire Post and Lancaster Guardian both reported on cases heard recently at Preston, Burnley and Lancaster Magistrates Courts, though neither outlet provided specific details of individual cases or sentences.

Police have renewed their appeal to find 29-year-old Eren Wright, missing from Lytham since shortly after 10am on Tuesday, 27 October. The search has now focused on the Fylde coast area, including Lytham, St Annes, Fairhaven and Blackpool, following earlier enquiries in Southport and Wigan. Eren is white, around 5ft 7in tall and slim with blonde hair and tattoos of vines and a tree on her hands and arms. She was last seen wearing a light olive-green hoodie, beige or cream wide-leg trousers and worn white trainers. Police have urged the public to avoid online speculation and to call 999 if anyone spots her.

A man has been charged after allegedly racially abusing a police officer during an arrest in Blackpool on 28 October. Ashley Johnson, 43, of no fixed abode, was initially arrested on an unrelated matter when he allegedly began shouting racial abuse at the arresting officer. He was subsequently charged with a racially or religiously aggravated public order offence of intentional harassment, alarm or distress, and is due to appear before Lancaster Magistrates' Court on 15 December 2026.

AJ Riley Landscapes and Building Limited was fined £20,000 after Josh Huddleston, 47, fell approximately 10 metres through a fragile barn roof on 24 February 2025 while replacing a skylight. He suffered fractures to his ribs, vertebrae and pelvis. The Health and Safety Executive found the company had failed to plan the work adequately and ensure appropriate control measures were in place, and that workers had not received sufficient training. The company pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving after a crash involving three parked cars in Bispham. Officers attended Red Bank Road at around 7.50pm on Wednesday, November 4, after reports of a white Renault colliding with three stationary vehicles. The outlets give differing ages for the woman: Lancashire Telegraph reports she is 36, while LancsLive states she is 26. Both outlets agree she is from Thornton-Cleveleys. A roadside breath test recorded a reading of 55 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35 micrograms. Officers found an empty beer bottle and a cocktail tin in the car. The woman was arrested at the scene and remains in custody.

Russell Brand, 51, has been found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault following a trial lasting nearly four weeks at Southwark Crown Court. He was cleared of two counts of rape and one charge of attempted indecent assault. He will be sentenced on Monday, November 9.

Preston North End lost 3-2 to Sheffield United on Tuesday, their 11th defeat in 14 matches, leaving them nine points from safety. Manager Graham Alexander told BBC Radio Lancashire he is not focused on the league table or other teams' results, but insists his players must win to escape the relegation zone. Alexander acknowledged a 'mistake' in his team selection at Stoke City and said establishing a consistent formation would help his players perform.