A CAMPAIGNING MP today welcomed the crop of East Lancashire gongs in the Birthday Honours but insisted: "We still aren't getting enough."

Hyndburn's Greg Pope stepped up his 'Going, Going, Gongs' campaign last week by putting down an Early Day Motion calling for more local people to be honoured.

He has suggested the winners of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's Pride of East Lancashire campaign should all be nominated for the awards.

And if enough MPs sign up to the EDM, highlighting the imbalance with Whitehall civil servants and people living in the south, he could win a debate in the House of Commons.

Coun Bill Taylor, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, led the way locally in Saturday's honours, becoming Sir Bill Taylor for his services to local government.

And there were five other awards for local people.

Coun Taylor joined the Labour Party in 1974 -- and had his first membership card signed by Greg Pope!

Mr Pope said: "I'm very pleased for Bill, he certainly deserves to recognised.

"While I am pleased that we did see some gongs this weekend, we still aren't seeing enough. There are still far more going to London.

"There are so many people in East Lancashire achieving things who deserve to be honoured. I hope that by the time the New Year's Honours are announced, we will see a lot more names of people from East Lancashire on there."

Bill Taylor said: "I believe a cross-section of people get these honours. If you look at the list there are people from all walks of life. I think the fact I have had one is proof of that. I also think that no-one starts doing things to get knighted, at it is a shock when it happens."