I WOULD like to place on record my appreciation, for the recent series of Huncoat reports in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

These reports were very positive about the village and I thought the article on Saturday, July 9 re the perception of Huncoat as a crime blackspot, was very illuminating to any reader who is aware of the village.

Police Inspector Julian Platt has said Hyndburn is one of the safest areas to live in the UK, from a crime point of view.

Huncoat has the lowest figures in Hyndburn and so by implication, is one of the safest places to live in the country. This is a massive about turn.

But the citizens of Hyndburn still perceive Huncoat as being twinned with Beirut (of old). The Comment editorial picked up on this anomaly and praised Huncoat as an example to other neighbourhoods across East Lancashire.

This is the first time to my knowledge that Huncoat has been so publicly applauded. The LET seems to be ahead of the game, in seeing such a seachange. No doubt the property market will be next.

New private housing developments are under construction. At least outside developers without local misgivings can see the village for what it is, a pleasant and semi rural community with great motorway links.

There is an initiative called Huncoat in Bloom to brighten the village up even more, with floral displays and community clean-ups.

At least we are trying and you have not heard the last of us, but remember Rome was not built in a day.

Councillor BRENDAN SHIEL, Huncoat.