A CAMPAIGN group bidding for better practice in Rossendale Council has collected more than 1,000 signatures on a petition in less than a week.

Members of the Rossendale Chartists, a non-political group geared to improving standards in Rossendale Council, petitioned residents across the borough from Bacup to Haslingden and received an overwhelmingly positive response.

Judith Lord, petitioning co-ordinator for the Chartists, said: "People have been queuing up to sign at times and some have taken petition sheets to collect more signatures.

"It is clear already that final result in one month's time will be very significant. For the purpose of local referenda, the minimum support needed is five per cent of the population that is about 3,300 signatures. There is no doubt that we will achieve this."

Alan Johnson, chairman of the Chartists, said: "We knew, when we started the Chartists, that many citizens want a good practice Council but also that most have given up complaining because their concerns have not been addressed.

"As a result, Rossendale has earned the title of 'apathy valley'. The response to our petition shows that people do care.

"Indeed, the most common response when asked to sign has been to say, 'Oh, yes please!'. We hope that all candidates for the May election will take serious note of this."

The group is also calling on candidates in the 'all out' election, when every seat in Rossendale Council will be up for grabs, to sign up to the charter to pledge a better service for Rossendale residents.