A SERIES of lectures based on topical issues affecting East Lancashire will be held in Padiham.

The lectures are an outreach activity by Lancaster University and will be given by leading authorities in their field.

The timetable for the talks is: Wednesday, September 19, BSE, HIV and foot and mouth - What public health lessons are being learnt? by Dr Stephen Deller; Wednesday, October 3, Climate Change - What might the future hold? by Professor Robin Grove-White; Wednesday, October 17, GM Crops - Frankenstein's monster or superhero? by Professor Brian Forde and Wednesday, October 31, Testing children - Do tests make better schools? by Dr Yvette Solomon.

The lectures will be held between 8 - 9.30pm in the Main Hall at the Nazareth Unitarian Chapel, Church Street, Padiham.

Tickets, priced £4, are available on the door or by calling 01282 773184 or 01254 298502.