ROSSENDALE Council has a new strategy to help save hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money.

The move has been welcomed by the district auditor after council staff formulated a policy on risk management.

Comprehensive surveys of all the authority's main activities should also improve staff safety and could lead to a new computer back-up system.

Acting Chief Executive James Gravenor said: "It is about measuring risk and taking all reasonable steps to avoid things going wrong.

"It helps us avoid accidents and strengthens us legally if we are sued.

"As an example, we realised we had no security checks on visitors and have since introduced security passes.

"Until six weeks ago, we had no such policy at all. Some staff were also being sent out to situations without a mobile phone."

Town hall staff and councillors from both parties have joined the Risk Management Group working on assessments.