PARISH councillors in a rural village have pledged that their area will soon be much tidier, thanks to the services of a new lengthsman.

Whalley Parish Council has employed a lengthsman to carry out work throughout the village once a week for the next 11 months.

As well as ensuring the village remains tidy, he will also be responsible for approaching landowners about health and safety issues such as broken stiles and over-hanging hedges.

Parish council chairman Eric Ronnan said: "The important thing is that residents let us know about their grot-spots so we can try and get something done about it.

"Hopefully, this time next year we will have seen a lot of improvements in the village."

The parish council is also contacting Ribble Valley Council to request that bins in the village are emptied more often after complaints by residents