A SERIES of environmental projects across Burnley totalling £220,000 have been given the go-ahead by councillors.

Money from the "Early Wins" programme of the housing market regeneration scheme Elevate will be spent on small-scale projects to improve various neighbourhoods.

The projects were agreed by Burnley Council's executive at a meeting this week.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will be scrutinising the council performance to see if they can handle spending the cash, and failure to deliver would jeopardise hopes of getting millions from the Elevate programme for major redevelopment in the borough.

Council leader Stuart Caddy said: "This is the kind of borough-wide positive impact we expect the full Elevate programme to have over many years."

Michael Wellock, of the market and community renewal team, said: "We are bidding for tens of millions of pounds as part of Elevate and need to make sure we deliver on relatively small schemes as the eyes of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will be on us."

The schemes are:

£60,000 to improve Sweet Clough Brook between Barclay Hills and Griffin estates, including landscaping, new steps, lighting and a clean up campaign

£6,000 for surfacing at the rear of Athol Street South, installation of hanging baskets and benches.

£13,000 to create a kickwall and community arts project mural in Ingham Street

£15,000 for a river clean-up, installation of new signs, bollards and dog waste bins in Fulledge recreation ground

£11,000 for new paths, ramped access, steps, fences and benches at the Top o' th' Town canal towpath

£15,000 for landscaping work in Jessie's Park

£15,000 improvements to open space in Brougham Street

£15,000 for new fences, dog grates, seating and waste bin in Owen Street Parl

£20,000 general improvements including repainting railings, new vehicle gates, coppice planting, litter clearance, play equipment and signs in Piccadilly Park

£5,000 for bulb planting across the borough

£15,000 for new play equipment and fencing in Thornber Gardens

£30,000 for previously cleared sites.