NORTH West MEP Gary Titley will be given a tour of Rossendale next week.

The Labour member of the Brussels-Parliament is a guest of the Rossendale Partnership, who are actively working to address the decline of the area.

"We are delighted that Mr Titley has accepted our invitation because it will give us the chance to highlight the challenges faced by the area," said a spokesman for the Rossendale Partnership.

Mr Titley, a member of the Trade, Industry and Research Committee, will be given the warts and all mini-bus tour on Tuesday, taking in the likes of Irwell Mill and Illex Mill - relics of the Rossendale's industrial past and symbols of the current decay.

The Partnership spokesman added: "It will be a very brief look at the area but we hope it will underline the specific issues that we have.

"As well as highlighting the problems of the area we will be showing the fruits of some of the more progressive initiatives - like the Haslingden Community Link and the Bacup Regeneration activity.

"The Haslingden Community Link operates on a redeveloped site and provides child care for families, which both brings jobs to the area and allows parents to go out to work. We'd like to replicate the success of this type of scheme throughout Rossendale.

"The overall aim of the Rossendale Partnership is get private companies and public bodies working together for the economic, social and environmental good of the community.

"If we can get some help from Europe, via Mr Titley, for our efforts it would be most welcome."

Mr Titley will then meet by business and community leaders for a buffet lunch organised by the Partnership.