TRADERS in the forgotten town of Waterfoot are making a desperate plea to the council to put them on the map.

Stacksteads has a stone, Weir has a welcoming sign and even Newchurch has a nameplate but Waterfoot -- where's that?

Greengrocer Steve Taylor whose shop in Bacup Road is in the centre of the busy town said: "I am forever being asked by lorry driver's, 'Excuse me mate can you tell me where Waterfoot is?'

"And I have to tell them they are here but it's not surprising they don't know because there is no sign to welcome them or even just to announce the town.

"Yet we are a town that is on the up and we have fewer empty shops in our town that the neighbouring areas, but we still have no sign to identify us from the rest of Rossendale."

Steve mentioned the town's plight to last year's Mayor Coun David Hancock while he was on his civic duties and he promised to put the town name sign on the list. But nothing has happened, and that was months ago. Steve said: "Traders have even offered to put something towards the cost of getting a sign -- we just want to be on the map!"

Chris Lever, of Water Picture Gallery (in Waterfoot not Water), said: "I even get people walking into my premises asking me where Waterfoot is!

"We have an identity -- but have we? Because nobody knows where we are. Many councillors have pledged to provide us with a sign over the years but no-one has."

Paul Stannard joint owner of the Royal Hotel endorsed the pleas saying: "I get customers asking directions and they get on the right road from Rawtenstall but they don't know they have gone through Waterfoot and then ring us from Stacksteads or Bacup asking where we are!"

Coun Hancock said: "I wrote and asked the council but they said they had changed the rules and had excluded putting signs up for towns. I have been trying to get something done similar to Stacksteads with a stone but I have to find a piece of land for it to be placed on. I am still trying for the traders and I have not forgotten my promise."