Lancashire

Local elections 2026
Local elections 2026

Lancashire's local elections in 2026

People living in seven parts of Lancashire will head to the polls on 7 May.

Latest Updates

  1. Pick of the stats: Preston v West Bromwich Albionpublished at 13:36 BST

    Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion club badgesImage source, Opta

    West Bromwich Albion will hope to boost their Championship survival hopes when they visit Preston North End on Saturday (kick-off 15:00 BST).

    The Baggies are two points above the relegation zone and unbeaten in their past seven league games (W2 D5), though they have won just two of their previous 18 (D9 L7).

    The Lilywhites are 13th on 57 points and cannot go down, while a play-off spot is almost impossible as they trail sixth-placed Hull by 11 points with four games to play.

    • Preston have won just two of their previous 15 league games against West Brom (D3 L10), with these victories coming consecutively in January and October 2022.

    • West Brom have won five of their past six league games against Preston (D1), conceding just three goals in that run.

    • Preston are unbeaten in their past four Championship games (W2 D2); this despite being on a run of 11 games without a clean sheet, the longest current run in the division.

    • Nine of West Brom's past 14 Championship games have ended level (W2 L3). Indeed, the Baggies have had more draws (9) than any other team in the division since the start of 2026.

    • Milutin Osmajic, Lewis Dobbin and Alfie Devine are all Preston's joint-top scorers in the Championship this season (8). This is the first campaign since 2017-18 in which Preston have had as many as three players with 8+ goals in the Championship (Tom Barkhuizen, Sean Maguire and Jordan Hugill).

  2. Man City v Arsenal: Who do you want to win?published at 07:18 BST 15 April

    Have your say banner
    Pep Guardiola and Mikel ArtetaImage source, Getty Images

    Two Premier League heavyweights are set to face each other this weekend at Etihad Stadium, as Manchester City host Arsenal.

    Both teams go into the fixture with different targets. For Mikel Arteta's side, it is about extending their lead at the top of the table. For Pep Guardiola's side, it is about closing the gap and keeping themselves in the title race.

    It is a fixture being labelled a title decider by some, so we want to know who you want to win this Sunday's match.

    Will you be cheering on the Citizens or getting behind the Gunners?

    Make your selection

  3. 'Parker does not have what it takes at the top level'published at 10:46 BST 14 April

    Natalie Bromley
    Fan writer

    Burnley fan's voice banner
    Scott Parker holds his arms outstretchedImage source, Getty Images

    The scenes at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon told a very clear story: the seats were either empty or emptying, as Burnley once again failed to find a way to break down a side that didn't really have to break into a sweat to beat them.

    So many posts across the various social media channels told tales of fans opting to do something else with their time, something better than watching another 90 minutes of dreary Parkerball: holidays with family; taking up a new hobby; pub with friends. Some posts talked of a decision not to renew their season ticket this year, often the first time in a long time.

    I listened to about 12 seconds of Scott Parker's post-match interview. I didn't need to listen to any more, it's the same old nonsense he has been pushing out all season. Nothing has changed. Nothing is going to change.

    The harsh reality is that as incredible a person Scott Parker is (and I bring no joy in what I am about to say) he simply does not have what it takes to manage at the top level. Perhaps no manager could keep Burnley in the top flight any more, but even if we accept that as true, what I cannot accept is such a dogged refusal to do anything differently.

    I really wanted this to work for him. I really did.

    If Parker, and the board and the players had proactively changed their approach throughout the season to try to improve things, then I wouldn't feel the apathy I do towards them. There's no accountability, no jeopardy. We are seeing more and more mistakes across our website, programmes and fixtures lists - there seems to be no pride in what we produce any more.

    A summer reset is badly needed. From all of us.

    Find more from Natalie Bromley at No Nay Never podcast, external

Trending Now