COUNCIL taxpayers in Burnley will have to pick up a near £8,000 bill after a conservation group was called to account.

The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) linked with Burnley Council to run the Burnley Wildlife Partnership - a four-year programme of environmental improvements, bulb planting, pond cleaning and the creation of wildlife gardens, involving thousands of children and community volunteers.

But success turned sour when the district auditor stepped in to challenge expenses claimed by BTCV - and found the group could not produce receipts for money received from the European Regional Development Fund.

Now the auditor has ordered repayment of £7,853 grant money to the Euro fund - and council tax payers will have to pick up the tab.

A report to Burnley Council finance committee said that because the project was no longer running, there was "no direct mechanism" to require BTCV to return the money.

It stated that because the project was managed by the council, it was liable in the circumstances.

The council had satisfied itself the expenses claimed were legitimate before payments were made, but receipts had not been produced by BTCV when required, and the auditor was not satisfied.

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