BACK streets in Earby and Barnoldswick look set to benefit from a new security scheme, launched in Nelson at the end of last year.

The West Craven Committee will be asked at a meeting tonight to approve plans to block off several back streets from traffic and pedestrians, other than those using it as access to their houses, with made-to-measure iron gates.

The Community Safety Partnership was granted £128,000 from the government to close selected back streets to secure homes against burglary.

The streets are chosen if no longer necessary as a public highway and have reported crime through the rear or side of the houses.

Those proposed in the latest round include the back streets in Earby between 1 to 33 William Street and 1 to 35 John Street and between 2 to 36 John Street and 57 to 89 Colne Road, and in Barnoldswick behind 75 to 81 Rainhall Road, 2 to 22 Clifford Street, between the back of 20 Cobden Street and 25A Wellington Street, between 22 to 60 Cobden Street and 21 to 517 Wellington Street and rear of 30 to 42 Park Avenue.

Council officers recommended that, subject to the consent of the county council and consultation with the Chief Constable, the secretary and solicitor should give the required notices and, if there are no objections, the order be made.

Pendle was chosen to pilot the national scheme which aims to reduce burglaries in crime spots. The back street between Burns Street and Chatham Street, in Nelson, was the first to receive the gates in December, 2001.