THE woman in charge of a borough's leisure services said the best way to look after parks was by giving more responsibility to residents.

Coun Kate Hollern was responding to criticism from a Liberal Democrat councillor that parks in Labour-run Blackburn with Darwen were inadequately maintained.

She told the Council Forum at Blackburn Town Hall on Thursday that a partnership between the council and the so-called 'friends' groups helped her to achieve more.

Corporation Park, Bold Venture Park and Sunnyhurst Woods all have friends groups which have managed to campaign and secure extra funds to improve the beauty spots.

But Coun Christopher Thayne questioned if the borough had enough appreciation of its parks, which he described as "jewels in the crown."

"We should invest in maintenance," he said. "It would appear there is a growing realisation that if we cut corners with staff in finance terms, then the evidence suggests that we are building problems for ourselves."

Coun Dave Hollings, whose ward covers flood-ravaged Sunnyhurst Woods, where they will be a year-long repair programme, said: "In Sunnyhurst Woods and Bold Venture Park they have friends groups working in partnership with the council to cut problems.

"Surely the way forward is to work in partnership with the community. This will help bring parks back to what they once were."

Coun Hollern said: "We couldn't achieve most of what we achieve without the friends groups. They tell us what we need. We are doing our best to head forward."