COMMUNITY leaders in Hyndburn today promised to fight "tooth and nail" for Government handouts after missing out on cash which could have breathed new life into areas affected by crime, derelict housing and poor leisure facilities.

A £2million bid to improve life for people in Great Harwood and Huncoat was drawn up by Hyndburn Council after consultation with residents.

But the borough was today told by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott it will not get a penny of Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) cash, despite successful bids which will benefit Blackburn, Darwen, Pendle and the Ribble Valley.

There was some consolation as Hyndburn Council learned it would receive a slice of the £3.7million SRB awarded to East Lancashire Partnership.

And the success of East Lancashire's bid for Assisted Area Status , which opens the door to millions of pounds of European and Government cash to help attract industry, was welcomed by town hall bosses and Hyndburn MP Greg Pope.

Single Regeneration Budget money is awarded by the Government to improve the quality of life in the country's most deprived communities. Ideas for regenerating the Within Grove estate in Huncoat included closed circuit television cameras, a new community centre, tidy-up initiatives, selective demolition of houses and new youth facilities.

Residents told the council they wanted the money to help tackle crime, poor street lighting and a lack of community facilities.

Proposals for Netherton ward in Great Harwood included creating a community centre within the town hall, a market day cafe, more allotments and more recreation facilities for young people. A community trust to tackle health issues was also planned.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "We're extremely disappointed because we thought we had an attractive bid.

"But we won't give up and we'll fight tooth and nail to make sure they can't turn us down next time."

Chief executive Mike Chambers added: "We have an excellent track record for using this type of money. The problems in Hyndburn speak for themselves and we will work with the Government to make sure our bid is successful next time we're in the hat."

Mr Chambers, also a member of the East Lancashire Partnership executive committee, said: "Assisted Area Status will benefit businesses in Hyndburn and help people find better jobs."

Mr Pope said the SRB decision was disappointing, but Assisted Area Status was "the best news for years in Hyndburn". Huncoat ward councillor Dave Parkins, who helped arrange a visit to Within Grove by Home Secretary Jack Straw, said: "It's another nail in the coffin for Huncoat. I'm very disappointed, especially after all the hard work by councillors and officers. We wanted things like CCTV cameras and a caretaker and none of that can go ahead now.

"But we will be going for the next lot of SRB money. We've been knocked to the floor but we'll get up and start again."

Geoff Coglan, chairman of Huncoat Community Forum, said his group would continue their fight to raise £450,000 to build a new community centre.

Netherton ward councillor Winifred Frankland said: "It is disappointing that Great Harwood Town Hall cannot be restored to its former glory. It seems that Hyndburn is always left out when it comes to Lottery money, Government grants or anything else."

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