A local authority environment boss has promised to look at developing a new allotment site in a township.

Hyndburn borough's Steven Smithson made the promise to look at vacant land in Rishton at its Full Council meeting on Thursday night.

He was tackled on the issue by the township's Labour councillor Kate Walsh.

She asked him: "With the waiting list for allotments currently being more than 600 people and the average waiting time two-and-a-half years, would it not be an opportunity for us as a council to explore further sites for allotments such as the council-owned land on Walmsley Street, Rishton, that was previously a park?

"The council have attempted to sell this for housing but the nearby church have a covenant on the land - this would make it an ideal site for allotments and would save a precious green space in the borough."

Cllr Smithson promised: "I am happy to take a look at this and will report back."

Last month Hyndburn Council's cabinet agreed to increase the charges for allotments on its land by 4.2 per cent.

The yearly fee for its smallholdings to tenants will rise from 24 pence per square metre to 25.

The minimum charge will remain at £50.