New town boards launched in East Lancs this year - each with a £20m budget - have been given extra time by the new Labour government to draw-up local investment plans.

Darwen, Accrington, Burnley, Rawtenstall and Nelson are among 75 towns across the country where new boards have been launched under the Long Term Plan for Towns.

They have to decide how £20m allocations agreed under the previous Conservative government will be spent over 10 years.

Earlier this summer Darwen's board was asking for ideas on how their allocation should be spent. This funding is in addition to the Darwen Town Deal, worth £100m.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited Accrington in January to pledge his commitment to the initiative. And councillors in Burnley have been lobbying for neighbouring Padiham, Hapton and Cliviger to be incorporated into their town board footprint.

The new town boards each have a mix of elected and unelected people, including local business owners, a requirement by the former government. Ex-Levelling-Up Secretary Michael Gove called the scheme ‘new style politics’.

Previously, the new boards had until the end of the summer to submit their initial plans.

Recently Rossendale councillors approved a Rawtenstall master-plan and accepted the £20m deal. It will focus on Rawtenstall, Crawshawbooth and Waterfoot.

Ideas are likely to relate to Rawtenstall’s ‘gyratory’ road system, Rawtenstall Market, bus service improvement works in Bacup Road and St Mary’s Way, Valley of Stone cycle routes, the Hall Carr estate and design work for Bank Street.  The county council will consult on-line and face-to-face on some elements over the next few weeks.

In Pendle, the new Nelson Long Term Town Plan Board is chaired by Claire Bennett, chief executive of Positive Action in the Community.

Speaking after the new government announced the deadline for town investment plans has been extended, she said:  “Nelson’s Long Term Plan provides the community with a significant opportunity to be the real driving force in tackling issues such as reviving the high street, tackling anti-social behaviour and improving transport and connectivity.

"It’s important we continue to develop our investment plan so that it’s ready for the government’s new deadline.”

Earlier this year, residents, businesses and stakeholders were invited to have their say on how Nelson funds should be spent.

Ideas included reviving vacant and historic buildings and urban spaces, making Nelson town centre a place where all communities can gather, creating a town centre cafe scene, shop and market improvements, strengthening community spirit and making the town centre safer.

Cllr Asjad Mahmood, Independent leader of Pendle Council, said: “Through the Nelson Long Term Plan we can build on the good work which is already under-way to transform Nelson through the existing town deal.”

The government will confirm the next steps.