THE Green Party is set to relaunch is Rossendale at an event next week.

North West Green leader and the Valley's Green Euro election candidate John Whitelegg is to visit Rossendale for the relaunch.

The event will coincide with the run-up to this year's elections when the Greens hope to get Rossendale's first Green Euro-MP elected.

John Whitelegg is professor of sustainable transport at Liverpool John Moores University and professor of sustainable development at York University's Stockholm Institute of the Environment.

He will outline the Green Party's vision for the Valley at the launch, ahead of both local and European elections, including:

A green economy protecting local shops and services, and creating jobs in recycling and green energy industries;

Turning Rossendale into a Gree zone, and supporting farmers and suppliers;

A fairer deal for pensioners - free travel for senior citizens, and linking council tax to inflation.

After the launch Prof Whitelegg will lead a discussion on the controversial title - Does Rossendale need windfarms? Are they necessary to stop climate change? Or are they just a blot on the landscape?

Thomas Jackson, the co-ordinator of Rossendale Green Party, and the man behind the launch said: "Greens in the North West are gradually increasing our vote. We are optimistic of a breakthrough soon, as the public comes round to our way of thinking on a wide range of issues.

"The Rossendale Valley led the world into the first industrial revolution.

"Why can't we do the same for a second, Green revolution? "

The meeting is being held on Tuesday, April 27, at Longholme Methodist Hall, Bacup Road, Rawtenstall, from 7.30pm.