BLACKPOOL is about to get a task-force to tackle the town's problems with litter, lewd behaviour and sleaze -- all spotlighted by The Citizen's clean-up Blackpool campaign last summer.

And this week local businesses met with Town Hall chiefs to kick-start a programme of change.

Deputy council leader Roy Fisher said the council and the wider business community feared Blackpool was in danger of losing some of its appeal, because of shabby private buildings and public areas, and a decline in the standard of public behaviour.

"Blackpool has a lot to offer and has the prospect of major new investment to look forward to in the future, but can't ignore the need for marked improvement in both the public and private sectors," he said.

"There is a growing view shared by the council and the wider business community that Blackpool does not provide the complete, high quality experience that is now a pre-condition of lasting success in the competitive arena of tourism."

More than 100 delegates at the meeting supported the launch of a joint public and private sector task-force, which will draw up proposals about tackling illegal street traders, overcharging by taxis and landaus, lewd entertainment, the degrading image of sexually explicit material, the condition of public toilets and litter.

Coun Fisher added: "We're fortunate in Blackpool to have a number of businesses that have grown up with the town and are determined to succeed for the benefit of future generations. Their help in identifying the town's problems and their willingness to work with us to solve them will be crucial to the resort's future success."

His views were echoed by one delegate, Warwick Tunnicliffe, owner of Warwicks Amusements, who said such a meeting had been "long overdue".

He added: "The meeting was a great success. This is a positive move, to move Blackpool forward, and to look at where the quality of Blackpool can be improved both for the locals and the holiday makers."