POLICE surgeries for deaf people have been announced.

Lancashire Constabulary's Pennine and Eastern divisions are joining forces with East Lancs Deaf Society to introduce the special Police And Communities Together (PACT) Surgeries.

The surgery will be held at the Inn on the Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, on Wednesday June 27, between 6.30pm and 8pm.

Neighbourhood policing teams from Blackburn and Burnley will be available to discuss community issues for deaf people throughout East Lancashire.

A sign language interpreter will be present. PCSO Marcus Locke, who covers Burnley Town centre, said: "This is an initiative we have developed with the assistance, support and guidance of the East Lancs Deaf society.

"An interpreter will be at the surgery and I would encourage members of our deaf communi-ty to call in and let us know their concerns or just to find out who their local neighbourhood community officers are."

Sgt Viki Crorken, Burnley Neighbourhood Policing Co-ordinator, added: "Lancashire Constabulary and its partners recognise that the county has a diverse community and is committed to encouraging our residents to be involved in local issues.

"This is the first deaf police and community together surgery to be held within East Lancashire and we will continue to run regular surgeries throughout the area "I believe that it is an excellent opportunity for our neighbour-hood teams and partner agencies to have a better understanding of issues within the deaf community."

Pennine covers Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, while Eastern is for Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.