INQUIRY chairman Lord Clarke today gave Burnley a pat on the back for the progress it had made in the three months since his task force report into the disturbances.

The Duke of York public house in Duke Bar, the fire-bombed building at th heart of the area of the worst viloence, is due to reopen tomorrow after a major renovation.

And around the affected streets in the town, windows have been repaired, burned out vehicles have long since been removed and the physical signs of the troubles have mostly gone away.

The task force, headed by Lord Clarke was set up on August 1 to investigate the events leading up to the disturbances on June 22 and 23 and plan a way forward for the town.

When the task force published its report, Burnley Speaks, Who listens..?, in December it outlined 15 main recommendations to improve the town's future, lead to better integration between the cultural groups in the town and ensure the violence would never be witnessed again.

Lord Clarke has been back in the town a couple of times since December and still receives calls from Burnley residents.

He said he was pleased with the progress that had been made since the report was published and said: "I thought the council meeting that accepted the report was very heartening and it gives great hope for the future -- the key is for people to work together.

"If the various groups, political parties and statutory agencies work together things will improve.

"I think we have been listened to seriously by Government and we now have to see wait and what comes of the comprehensive spending review from the Chancellor of the Exchequer to see what money is available."

Since the report was published, Burnley Council has been working to turn the recommendations into tangible changes.

The task force criticised the council because it found public and local organisations said that the work of the council was not widely known and was very much misunderstood.

Council debate was considered poor, focusing on parochial issues, and 'maverick' councillors had a disproportionate influence.

There was a lack of an effective communications section and lobby groups had an undue influence.

On March 6, the council's budget was approved, focusing on better jobs, homes and increased security as well as increasing money from various sources to the tune of more than £250,000 for youth initiatives and a £150,000 community fund, now known as the opportunities fund.

It had also invested in race relations work, recruiting staff to support the leadership and executive and creating a permanent corporate communications department.