A MILLENNIUM project to boost TV reception in a village in the shadow of Pendle Hill has taken a step forward.

Barley television community group, set up by the parish council and other villagers, is focusing on replacing the out-dated mast that sends pictures to TVs in the area with new equipment.

The mast in a field above Narrowgates was bought by the parish council in 1982 after villagers in the valley community complained TV reception was poor even though they are only a few miles from Pendle Forest transmitter .

Parish council secretary Jane Metcalfe explained: "The equipment is becoming obsolete and the engineer that looks after the mast is finding it harder and harder to get replacement parts."

The community group is preparing a bid for lottery cash.

The group has applied to Pendle Council for planning permission to replace the mast with a 27ft high tower and a cabin to hold new transmitter equipment.

The application is due to be discussed by the council's Barrowford and Western Parishes area committee on March 31.

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