AN East Lancashire MP has reacted with dismay after it was revealed the redevelopment of Burnley Central railway station had been delayed again due to rising costs.

The work will now not start until November -- two months later than previously planned.

Burnley MP Peter Pike has vowed to keep up the pressure to ensure this latest timetable for the refurbishment of Burnley Central is kept to.

Mr Pike had been concerned about the station even before he moved to Burnley in the 1960s and more recently has been working closely with Burnley Borough Council and Lancashire County Council on the plans for redeveloping and improving the station.

In May he learned that the estimated date for work had slipped to August or September and he has now discovered that it is more likely to be at least November this year before work can start.

The delay is thought to be due to extra costs being uncovered during the re-tendering exercise.

Mr Pike will now work with the county council, Burnley Borough Council and other partners to attract the funding needed to meet the shortfall to enable work to go ahead without further delays.

He said: "Clearly I am a little disappointed that the redevelopment of Burnley Central station continues to meet delays. However I share the commitment with Burnley Borough Council and Lancashire County Council that we have to see that the redevelopment is done to a high standard.

"It was hoped that when the work was put out for re-tender we would get the right response and be able to move forward quickly. However this has proved not to be the case and we now need to attract additional resources to help fund this redevelopment to ensure that it is completed to a high standard.

"I want to see a decent new station at Burnley Central at an early date but clearly the price has to be right and with a decent standard of workmanship.

"I understand that the North West Development Agency are now in discussions with the county council about the redevelopment and I am hopeful they will come on board to make Burnley Central Station the welcoming gateway the town deserves.

"I wrote to the press in the early 1960s before I moved to Burnley complaining about the old Burnley Central Station and have never stopped pressing for change at the station since. We have seen improvements of course since then but I still believe that the people of Burnley deserve yet better."

Leader of Burnley Council, Councillor Stuart Caddy, said: "I am disappointed that the start of the work has been delayed but hopefully it will get underway as soon as possible. I am looking forward to the work being completed to the best possible standard."

The proposals were unveiled last year to demolish the old building and replace it with a futuristic station with ticket office, waiting area, disabled access and CCTV.

The Strategic Rail Authority, Lancashire County Council, the borough council, First North Western and the East Lancashire Partnership will jointly spend £500,000 rebuilding Burnley Central.