BURNLEY Council has advertised for a head of a new communications unit after it was revealed the urgent Task Force recommendation had not been put in place nearly a year after it was suggested.

Council leader Stuart Caddy last month admitted plans for a communication unit had 'slipped' but applications for the £36,000 a year post have now been invited.

The Task Force report into Burnley's summer of trouble was released last December and it said the council should give "urgent attention" to establishing and resourcing a professional corporate communications unit by July 2002.

The new head will be appointed following interviews later this month.

The Task Force report said members of the public had expressed concern about where money was being allocated in the town as it had not been communicated to them properly.

Council leader Stuart Caddy said overall he was pleased with the many recommendations that had been carried out and the objectives which had been met.

A six monthly report into the Task Force's progress released last month highlighted a number of areas it had done well, including: housing, environmental improvements and race equality.