RESIDENTS in Guide are gearing up for the final leg of their battle to stop their village being "swallowed up by Blackburn."

A public inquiry will open at Queen's Park High School at 10am on Monday. It will decide whether a huge commercial development can go ahead off Haslingden Road.

A government inspector will conduct the inquiry and have the final say in a year long saga that began when Blackburn with Darwen Council's planning committee referred the development to the government for a decision.

Householders bombarded the Government with letters and convinced the planning inspectorate to hold an inquiry in Blackburn.

Arrowcroft North West, the development arm of United Utilities, are the company behind the project to build a hotel, car showroom, petrol filling station and sport/health centre.

Campaign leader Pat Kennedy said: "Guide will be swallowed up and become a part of Blackburn if this goes ahead.

"We have opposed this from the very start and we will try our best to convince the inspector to stop this in its tracks.

"This is the time for people in Guide to show their opposition. It was a major victory for us to get a full public inquiry.

"We must now make the most of it and voice our genuine concerns to the people who hold the key to the future of our village."

A decision will be taken soon after the inquiry opens on whether there will be a special night sitting for people in Guide who work during the day.

Campaigners are planning to put up posters in Guide telling people when the inquiry begins and encouraging them to attend when they can.

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