ROSSENDALE Council has pledged to improve and protect the environment.

Plans for a draft policy were discussed during a meeting of the cabinet last week.

The policy commits the council to complying with environmental legislation and codes of practice and ensuring that their contractors and suppliers do likewise.

They are also considering the environmental impact of any council development, including land use and transport, and acting to prevent pollution.

The council is currently finalising an Environmental Strategy - due to be ready in March 2008 - with a vision of Rossendale being a place which has attractive rural settings, a fantastic street scene and is easily accessible by all by 2020.

Philip Mepham, interim environmental health manager said: "We are demonstrating the council's commitment to taking access in climate change."