HYNDBURN Council has backed moves to force an electricity company to demolish an unpopular three-mile stretch of pylons and replace it with an underground cable.

The development services committee welcomed the attempt by representatives of housing developers Barratt Manchester and Persimmon Homes, to refer United Utilities to the Government for a review of the line of 15, 60-ft-high metal pylons.

The pylons have been criticised as ugly by residents and councillors. They were delighted when Goodyear William chartered surveyors said their clients had asked Secretary of State for the Department of Trade and Industry Patricia Hewitt to set up a public inquiry

The line, which was built 60 years ago, runs from the former Huncoat power station to the former GEC works at Clayton and the developers want to build at least 100 new homes at Sefton Fold Farm, in the Burnley Road area near Clayton-le-Moors

The council's head of planning, Brendan Lyons, said: "The overhead lines are a significant environmental blight on the visual amenity of towns and open countryside.

" Sefton Farm is intended as significant addition to the borough's stock of good quality housing."

And planning committee member Coun Tim O'Kane added: "These pylons are an eyesore that affect the price of properties in the area. United Utilities need to think of the needs of local people and I am pleased the DTI have been asked to review the line."

A spokesman for United Utilities said: "These overhead lines have provided thousands of homes in Accrington with electricity very satisfactorily and are a vital piece of electricity infrastructure.

"There are two developers seeking compensation for these developments but it is not appropriate to comment further."