MAYOR Mary Robinson today called for the £246,000 scheme to rejuvenate Clitheroe Castle to be put on hold because she said many people did not understand the plans.

Both Clitheroe Town Council and regeneration body Clitheroe the Future have also slammed the proposals set out by Ribble Valley Borough Council for being sketchy and lacking detail.

But engineering manager Graham Jagger told the borough council's community committee that the plans were at "concept" stage.

The plans include spending £146,000 on the castle museum and £100,000 on improving the grounds.

A formal consultation had been set up with Clitheroe Town Council, Clitheroe Civic Society and English Heritage.

A public consultation period, with plans displayed in the council offices and local libraries, was held between January 21 and February 28.

Comments already received also criticise the scheme for being too vague.

Mayor of Clitheroe Coun Robinson said: "Many people have found it difficult to understand the plans. The proposals have been very sketchy.

"We don't feel there is any need to rush the scheme as it would be far better to extend the period of consultation."

Mr Jagger added that the scheme had to go ahead in the next couple of years to take advantage of the funding that was available.

"An extended consultation period would not allow the work to be carried out in the financial year that the budget has been set for."

In a letter to Mr, Jagger the town council said the plans did not include a memorial garden for Princess Diana, nor explain what would happen to the rose garden, war memorial nor bandstand.

Mr Jagger said: "The project does not include any proposals in relation to the War Memorial. This would be a matter for the town council itself to consider.

"There is also no mention of the bandstand as work was carried out at a total cost of £50,000 two years ago."

Town councillors also felt that the borough council's "negative response" to an earlier approach from Clitheroe the Future could be "counter-productive" as it could offer advice on funding options as well comments on the proposed work.

In response, Clitheroe the Future, which was set up to develop and implement regeneration plans , also criticised the borough council over the public consultation exercise and the lack of detail in the plans available.

The body said it felt the timing of the borough council's work was "unhelpful" in the consultation exercise it is currently carrying out in relation to the future of Clitheroe as a whole.

Members also felt the borough council might well be passing up other sources of funding for the development, such as money from local businessman John Lancaster.

The group also felt the creation of a parks committee, including members of the public should be set up to oversee the management of the Castle Grounds and this project.

Dorothy Kane from Clitheroe Civic Society said: "A better interpretation of the importance of the Castle, the museum and archives will assist the promotion of the town."

Of the public consultation exercise, Mr Jagger said 12 comment forms had been filled in and five letters submitted to the council. The general response, he said, had been very positive.