MORE than 70 licensed premises in Bacup, Haslingden and Rawtenstall attended a meeting to launch a new pub and club-watch for Rossendale.

Rossendale West Sgt Colin Hudson said: "We sent out 152 invitations to pubs and clubs and more than half of them replied saying they were in favour and of that two-thirds attended the meeting at the Astoria in Rawtenstall.

"We have about 70 premises already interested in joining the scheme and at the meeting several signed up to it.

"We are hoping more premises will come on board once the scheme is up and running."