DEVELOPMENT Agency chief Collette Turner toured one of Burnley's most deprived areas as community leaders made their bid for cash help.

Mrs Turner, the new North West Agency's programme manager, heard Daneshouse ward representatives argue for a £25 million government grant to breathe new life into the area.

They say the area should take preference over Burnley's official bid for the cash to go to the Burnley Wood and Accrington Road districts.

Community leaders rebelled after Daneshouse was snubbed by the council and Burnley Regeneration Forum, when they drew up their application proposals for the Single Regeneration Budget and decided to support aid for the Burnley Wood area instead.

They said Daneshouse should wait for the new, bigger New Deal grants which were coming on line and would be of greater benefit to the ward.

Daneshouse councillor Mozaquir Ali, said Mrs Turner had given a sympathetic hearing and understood the problems facing the ward.

"She said the agency welcomed individual community applications, but said it was essential they had the support of an accountable body. We learned a great deal about other opportunities open to us which have never been mentioned at borough council level - the meeting was well worthwhile."

Coun Ali said the Daneshouse Partnership would meet next month to decide whether to press ahead with its application or support the official bid.

After her talks on SRB, Mrs Turner was shown homes in the area which have benefited from external improvements but which attract no help for internal refurbishment.

"It means people are getting only superficial improvements to their homes and problems like dampness and poor heating are not tackled," said Coun Ali.

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