FUNDING has been given to build a new perimeter fence at a Hyndburn school after years of lobbying.

Permission is now being sought to erect a 7ft-high fence around Mount Carmel RC High School, Wordsworth Road, Accrington.

Many residents in the area - particularly pensioners - had complained that the old fence was in disrepair and it enabled pupils to use their back gardens as a short-cut.

Labour County Councillor Doreen Pollitt, said: "This is a great Christmas present for all the pensioners in the area. There have been a lot of problems with the existing fence over the years because bits of it are missing, creating short-cuts which children use to go through the back of pensioners' gardens.

"The local neighbourhood watch scheme, myself and councillors have been lobbying for a long time so we are really pleased to get this funding. Being about 7ft-high, children won't be able to climb over it."

The new fence will comprise railings made of special steel.

Any objections to it should be notified to Lancashire County Council, who have provided the funding, by January 5.

Coun Pollitt said she hoped the work could be finished by Easter next year.

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