ARCHAEOLOGY experts today congratulated residents who fought a council demolition order in Nelson West.

The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) supported residents in Whitefield who blocked proposals by Pendle Council to buy and demolish 162 terraced homes.

The plans were refused by the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott last week after two public inquiries.

CBA historic buildings officer, Lynne Walker, said: "This decision underlines a recognition of the architectural and historic merit of this area of 19th Century housing and the part it plays in providing the strong foundations necessary for sustaining a tightly-knit community.

"We would like to offer congratulations to the community of Whitefield that survived years of blight induced by uncertainty over their survival and wish them a flourishing future."

CBA director, George Lambrick, added: "This case shows local authorities need to approach the regeneration and rejuvenation of areas of historic housing like Whitefield with a greater degree of sophistication."

Residents' Action Group spokesman, Sylvia Wilson, said: "We are grateful to all our supporters."