A COUNCIL is chasing a £500,000 lottery grant which will lead to more 'public art' sculptures in East Lancashire.

But opposition leaders on Blackburn with Darwen Council said the public would rather the council chased cash to improve other services -- such as weekly bin collections.

The ruling Labour group today heralded the half-million cash injection as 'fantastic news' and said it would fund projects to involve all communities.

The 'C21' scheme has won cash from the Millennium Commission to celebrate the links between Blackburn and Asia.

A massive exhibition to celebrate the connection is just one of the projects planned.

More public art similar to the sculptures in Church Street is also planned.

The council has been criticised in the past for its apparent obsession with public art. The revamp of Church Street from congested through-road to pedestrianised cobbled oasis was branded 'a joke' after the five sculptures for the scheme arrived nearly two years late.

And the authority has been accused of scaring away would-be developers by insisting they spend large sums on 'public art.'

Labour, however, insist public art helps draw in investment.

Conservative leader Colin Rigby said: "I really think this is a waste of money. The Lottery has lost all credibility in recent months with some of the things it gives cash out to.

"The Labour group is just as culpable for chasing cash for such a silly scheme.

"They should be focusing their efforts on improving services and trying to get more cash in for things like regenerating communities.

"The needs of the borough's rural communities are being overlooked in favour of a couple of statues, an art exhibition and some poets.

"It means as well as a statue of Barbara Castle, paid for by private subscription and which people don't want, we're going to be treated to something else which I daresay people will ridicule."

Fellow Tory Paul McGurty said: "If the council insists on chasing Lottery money, it should be for worthwhile things which people care about, such as supporting our war veterans."

Some of the money will be used to beef up the borough's annual festivals.

Other projects will involve the community, getting them to take part in schemes and make them feel more a part of the borough as a whole.

Coun Dorothy Walsh, the council's executive member for culture, leisure and sport said: "The C21 project will embrace and celebrate the borough's diverse culture.

"It will take its arts services to a new level."