Breaking News in Blackburn
Stay informed with the most pressing and breaking stories from Blackburn. From major events to urgent updates, find it here.

Blackburn Cathedral pays tribute after death of former music director Dr John Bertalot
Blackburn Cathedral has announced the death of Dr John Bertalot, the former Director of Music credited with helping build the Cathedral choir’s reputation and playing a key role in the landmark 1969 organ project.
Blackburn with Darwen elections back on after Government U-turn on postponement plans
Blackburn with Darwen’s council elections are back on after the Government reversed plans to postpone 30 local polls. Critics say ministers were “running scared.” Was the original cancellation justified — or undemocratic?

Blackburn Cathedral pays tribute after death of former music director Dr John Bertalot
Blackburn Cathedral has announced the death of Dr John Bertalot, the former Director of Music credited with helping build the Cathedral choir’s reputation and playing a key role in the landmark 1969 organ project.
Blackburn with Darwen elections back on after Government U-turn on postponement plans
Blackburn with Darwen’s council elections are back on after the Government reversed plans to postpone 30 local polls. Critics say ministers were “running scared.” Was the original cancellation justified — or undemocratic?
Twenty taxi and private hire vehicles were stopped and inspected during a late-night joint operation by Blackburn with Darwen Council and Lancashire Police, with penalty points issued to five drivers.
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is inviting people to a recruitment open evening focused on apprenticeships, graduate roles and entry-level opportunities.
Older Blackburn News
Did you miss out? Here are some of the older stories and news about Blackburn and Darwen

Something About George heads to Blackburn Empire for one-night tribute to George Harrison
A live tribute to George Harrison is coming to Blackburn Empire for one night only – featuring My Sweet Lord, Something, Got My Mind Set on You and more, performed live with the story behind the music.

Volunteer by Water: help care for canals and rivers across Lancashire
The Canal & River Trust is inviting people across Lancashire to volunteer by water, helping care for canals, rivers and towpaths while making a real difference in local communities.

Watch the moment a wanted man is chased along a pavement in Blackburn town centre by mounted police
A man wanted on recall to prison was arrested in dramatic fashion in Blackburn after attempting to flee police, only to be chased down the pavement in Blackburn Town Centre by a mounted officer.
Blackburn News Archive
All the archived stories from Blackburn Life – News about Blackburn and Darwen
The Right Reverend Philip North has today been announced by 10 Downing Street as the next Bishop of Blackburn.
Need some MAGIC this Christmas? 33% off PANTO courtesy of Blackburn Life and Square Cactus.
The manager of Blackburn BID, Catherine Price, has made a last minute plea to shop with Blackburn Town Centre businesses this Christmas.
THE YOUNGSTERS at Derian House had a ball when they were visited by two groups of special guests just in time for Christmas.
From 3rd January 2023, Turtle Bay is giving away a £10 gift to fans around the country as the Caribbean restaurant and bar promises a no-strings attached present to welcome in the New Year.
GIVEAWAY ALERT Our 12 Days of Christmas giveaway has officially started.Enter now to be in with a chance of winning 1 of 12 amazing prizes All you have to do
We’ve teamed up with Darwen Library Theatre, to offer one lucky family the opportunity to win tickets to see “Dear Santa LIVE”
Here’s your chance to enjoy the panto, Jack & the Beanstalk, at Blackburn’s King George’s Hall by winning a family ticket.
Here’s how you can win £50 to spend at Le RainFlorist. What a great way to say thank you to someone special.
You could win a Family Tickets to this year’s production of Cinderella at the Blackburn Empire Theatre.
Shone Productions and King George’s Hall are delighted to announce that Ricky Groves will be stepping into the role of Fleshcreep at this year’s pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk. Best known for
Caribbean restaurant and bar Turtle Bay Blackburn are giving you and your office the chance to win a £250 voucher for your office Christmas party…
Blackburn Life is back with our Big Christmas Giveaway Competition.
A Trail that has a Tantalisingly Tasty Theme will have families hunting for Gingerbread across Blackburn this Christmas.
Here are the road closures that may affect your journeys this Sunday
Blackburn Life were lucky enough to be invited to the final dress rehearsal for this year’s pantomime at Blackburn Empire Theatre of Cinderella. The show, which opens to the public this Saturday (26th November) stars Linda Lusardi, Lucy Kane and JezO.
Christmas really has come early for Youth Zone Darwen thanks to a £100K funding boost from the John Lewis Foundation Trust.
The Shh Bar, which announced last month it was not to relocate, but close its doors has now thanked customers as it closed for the final time.
The Post Office are proposing to move the Blackburn Town Centre Post Office from its current base at 29-33 Ainsworth Street, Blackburn to the former Crawshaw’s shop at 4-6 Railway Road, Blackburn.
Blackburn’s Christmas Lights switch on has been announced for Saturday 26th November 2022 with Strictly contestant AJ Odudu switching on the lights this year.
The ‘Blackburn Glitter Ball’ will host a day of dance and music on King William Street – with hopes of scoring a 10 with the crowds!
Blackburn’s latest Hotel has opened as Hotel 99 in the former Wheatsheaf pub on Mincing Lane in the Town Centre, under the Best Western brand.
Caribbean restaurant and bar Turtle Bay Blackburn has launched its Christmas offering and its sunkissed tropical escapism all the way.
Work to finish a new Darwen-themed play area at Blacksnape Playing Fields is due to be completed in the coming days and is the renovated area is promised to “provide local young children and families’ hours of outdoor fun and games for years to come.”
Blackburn’s King George’s Hall will again host a Remembrance Concert after two years’ absence due to the pandemic.
The BBC have announced that their Christmas Services on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will be broadcast from Blackburn Cathedral.

Mobile network services are being upgraded in Blackburn boosting speed, performance and coverage. There is a small chance these improvements may cause interference to TV received through an aerial such as Freeview, BT, TalkTalk and YouView.
The Mall Blackburn has an out of this world line-up of free activities this half-term, which will culminate in a visit from Britain’s Got Talent’s super-sized semi-finalist Titan the Robot!
It’s been almost 50 years since Steeleye Span first performed at Blackburn’s King George’s Hall in September 1973!
The cast of the brand-new production of Cinderella at Blackburn Empire Theatre officially launched their Pantomime with a visit to Blackburn Town Centre this weekend.
With only three UK dates, dance sensation The Royal Family Dance Crew are bringing their European Tour to Blackburn on Sun 23 Oct 2022.
Turtle Bay Blackburn has announced a brand new cocktail menu as well as two new “Steel Bottom Beers” which will launch on 12th September, serving up some much needed sunshine as the Autumn months beckon.
As part of the Lancashire Encounters Festival 2022, 150 people will HOWL inside King George’s Hall as part of an arts festival.
Changes to business hours and opening for a whole range of local shops, venues and leisure attractions in the area.
Blackburn Cathedral will host a County Service of Thanksgiving for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday 18th September 2022 at 2pm
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council have announced a raft of closures and changes to council services for Monday 19 September, the day of the Queen’s funeral.

Official proclamations to mark the accession of the new monarch King Charles III will take place in Blackburn & Darwen on Sunday 11 September 2022.