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Former soldier sets up Burnley support centre for veterans

A former colour sergeant from Burnley has set up a new support centre in his home town to help veterans who struggle after leaving the armed forces.

Andy Powell, who served in the Army for 16 years, runs Healthier Heroes and has established the centre to help homeless veterans find work.

3 December 2020

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Fundraiser Hughie (left) rings a bell with best friend Freddie alongside him

Teen fundraiser rings bell for cancer all-clear

Footage shows the moment a brick was thrown at the Premier League team's bus as it left Burnley

Police release CCTV of Aston Villa coach bricking

Skull and crossbones sign

Mum's pirate-themed Halloween house bemuses son

Lord Cormack

Peer calls Michael Gove 'intellectual flibbertigibbet'

Pastor Mick, William and Kate

Prince William and Kate meet Burnley's Pastor Mick

Sarah and Ben Mee with baby Olive

Premier League star's premature baby support call

Hughie and Freddie

Two boys, 11, honoured for cancer fundraising

Rishi Sunak

Sunak confuses nearby towns in market-visit gaffe

Burnley resident

Budget 2021: 'We're all struggling, aren't we?'

Pastor Mick Fleming hugs a client

'I don’t want to live, my mental health’s that bad'

RuPaul's Drag Race

Meet the North West's RuPaul's Drag Race hopefuls

Student

'Our teachers know us better than any examiner'

Joanna Embley

Narrowboat salon is a breath of fresh hair

Funeral

'There are people too poor to die'

South Asian widows exercising together in Blackburn. Image shows women doing chair yoga in a community centre.

Group's 30 years helping South Asian widows exercise

Many friendships have been formed in the group, which aims to improve health and mental well-being.

Curly the diving instructor adjusting a mask in a swimming pool as he teaches

Instructor's passion 'makes diving accessible'

An instructor is inspiring two men to achieve their dream of scuba diving.

Annabel Tiffin with election breakdown

How the general election could affect the North West

BBC North West political editor Annabel Tiffin explains the region's political map.

bittern bird

Britain's loudest birds are booming once again

The RSPB reports ten "booming" males at Leighton Moss - the most on the reserve since the 1990s.

Simon Gray and one of his children in Ghostbusters outfits

Ghostbusters superfan lands role in latest film

Simon Gray has been collecting toys and merchandise for 30 years.

Ellis Palmer on his handcycle on the Lune Valley greenway

Cycle path transformation to become more accessible

A popular path for people walking and cycling near Lancaster has undergone a transformation.

Opening of Showtown Museum, Blackpool

Musical theatre star opens resort's showbiz museum

The £13m venue , Blackpool's first permanent museum and hopes to contribute to its regeneration..

Councillor approaching a woman in meeting

Councillor allegedly pushes protester in meeting

Lancashire Police says it is investigating an allegation of assault but no arrests have been made.

Spud brothers Harley and Jacob Nelson

Jacket potato tram gets TikTok tourism boost

The "spud brothers" stack up more than 17 million likes for their "modern day twist" on the hearty meal.

CCTV

Murder inquiry releases CCTV of suspect on bike

Lenny Scott, 33, was shot outside a gym in a "cruel and cold-blooded assassination", police say.

Emu on the loose

Escaped emu on the loose on main road

The flightless bird was caught on dashcam footage while on the run in Rawtenstall.

Starling murmuration

Mesmerising starling murmuration captured at dusk

Thousands of birds are captured on camera swooping above a nature reserve in Lancashire.

Cleaning the chandeliers at Blackpool Tower

Restoring the sparkle of landmark's chandeliers

Every year the massive chandeliers are cleaned by hand at Blackpool Tower.

Barbara McInnis drumming

Woman, 90, says learning to drum brought her joy

Barbara McInnis, from Morecambe, has been taking lessons from former Simply Red drummer Chris Joyce.

staff with the two cats

Stray cats find forever home with rail staff

The feline duo have been demanding treats and inadvertently sending emails at a Blackpool depot.

Dog being treated on table

Donor dog's life saved by blood donation

Minnie, who donated blood four times, has ended up being saved after receiving a donation.

Seema

Self-taught chef wins cooking accolade

Ex-teacher Seema Dalvi is named best chef for the North of England at the Asian Curry Awards 2023.

Thousands of birds were captured on camera swooping above a nature reserve near Preston.

Stunning murmuration captured near nature reserve

Thousands of birds were captured on camera swooping above a nature reserve near Preston.

Emad Abuaassi

'We left everything behind when we fled Gaza'

Emad Abuaassi says he and his family had to leave their flat in the middle of the night.

Preston mural

Why gin bar mural symbolises a city

The mural painted on a listed building in Preston without planning consent can remain.