A FRESH inquiry is to take place into Burnley's response to the riots which rocked the town in the summer of 2001, it was revealed today.

MPs have ordered the new investigation to make sure everything possible is being done to prevent a repeat of the disorder which affected Burnley as well as Bradford and Oldham two years ago.

The timing of the investigation, however, has been called into question by Burnley MP Peter Pike, who said he was surprised it had taken so long.

Items to come under the spotlight will include the role of local councils, voluntary and community groups and measures put in place to try and create 'cohesive communities'.

In Burnley several measures have been implemented following the report of the Burnley Task Force set up to investigate the cause of the riots in the town. These include a cultural strategy, community plan and communications department. The Pathfinder project has also been created to try and regenerate housing in the borough.

The fresh inquiry has been undertaken by the Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee, part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Committee members will

visit Oldham later this year as part of their investigations and have not ruled out a trip to Burnley to look at the borough's own unique challenges.

Mr Pike said today: "I am surprised at this decision coming at this time. It seems a bit late to me.

"I would have thought it could have been sooner and I am not sure what it will acheive.

"Having said that, if they are going to Oldham I think they should go to Burnley and look at the problems in the town.

"We did have our own Task Force report and I have raised the question of having a debate about it in the Commons several times.

"I was promised we would have one, but we have not had one yet."

Chairman of the Burnley Task Force Lord Clarke said: "I welcome this monitoring process. Anything that can be done to try and avoid a repeat of the disturbances and can help avoid mistakes in the future is to be welcomed.

"I still believe Burnley has a great future, although there is no quick fix."

Leader of Burnley Council Stuart Caddy said: "I welcome this and I would urge the members of the committee to visit Burnley to see the progress we have made since the disturbances.

"The council is working very hard on things like community cohesion to make sure there is no repeat. There are no overnight solutions but we are moving in the right direction."

Former mayor Rafique Malik said: "This is good news and should prove a useful exercise to show what is being done well."

A spokesman for the Housing, Planning, Local Government and the Regions Committee of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said: "The committee has resolved to undertake an inquiry into the Government's response to the Community Cohesion reports, especially in relation to neighbourhood renewal, housing and local government; the role of councils, other public agencies and voluntary and community groups and how cohesive communities can be created and examples of successful policies and initiatives, including whether they can be transferred to other places.

"The committee will be visiting Oldham later this year as a case study and would particularly welcome submissions from Oldham residents and local organisations."