ST JOHN the Baptist Church is having trouble with the main drain which runs through the car park.

The damage has been caused by tree roots which have damaged the drain beyond repair.

Work to replace the drain will start shortly and will hopefully be completed within three weeks.

During this time parents will not be able to use the car park for safety reasons.

THE Mayor and Mayoress of Padiham, Councillors Granville and Pat Lord continue with their hectic term of office. As the first citizens of the town they are setting a cracking pace for those who will follow them.

They are due to attend a fundraising event in Hapton at the home of parish councillors Allan and Pat Jones.

Hapton Parish Council is delighted that Padiham now has it's own council and is happy to offer encouragement whenever possible.

They Mayor and Mayoress will attend the switch-on of Christmas lights during a carol service given by the children of St John's Church.

Padiham shops and market will remain open late after the ceremony which will take place on November 28.

THE County Council meeting at Preston to decide on the proposed animal waste incinerator at the former Hapton Valley Colliery site will take place on Wednesday, November 13.

The Parish Council hopes that it's views and the views of the people who will be affected adversely by the site will be considered and that the proposal will be rejected.

THE Chairman of Hapton parish Council, Joan Lakeland, has attended a meeting with Burnley Borough Council officers at the town hall. The purpose of the meeting was to gain information about the funding which parish councils receive. Currently this funding is provided by Burnley who also provide services to the village.

Parish councils are being asked to consider alternate forms of funding and percepting is the main source of income. Percepting involves an additional yearly charge to council tax payers of £3.50 per head.

In Hapton's case with an electorate of 2,906 that would mean an income of £10,171 to Hapton which would then have to provide many services currently offered by the borough council.

An officer of Burnley Council will attend the Parish Council meeting in December.

THE Church of St Margaret's at Hapton was packed last Sunday morning for the Christening of baby Emily Greenhalgh who lives in Bridgefield Street, Hapton, with her parents Amanda and James.

More than 100 people, most of them young, attended the service, taken by the Rev Eric Booth.