GREEN campaigners who battled to stop a steel plant being built on open fields between Blackburn and Chorley have released a song celebrating their success.

The Gale Moss Action Group was formed by people living near Wheelton to protest against plans to build on land opposite the newly-completed Mormon Temple, near junction 8 of the M61.

In March, Chorley Council unanimously voted to reject the application by Bolton-based firm William Hare.

Members of the action group struck upon the idea of writing a song as an innovative campaigning idea.

They teamed up with East Lancashire music consultant Simon Jones, who has made albums with jazz bands at Blackburn's Blakeys Bar and pupils from Lammack County Primary School, Blackburn.

The campaigners, who still fear renewed plans at the site, won backing from the Rural Action for the Environment organisation, who agreed to provide a grant for the project.

Ten members of the group, aged between 16 and 72, most of whom had no songwriting experience, recorded two songs over a two-day recording session at the Howard Arms Hotel, Whittle-le-Woods.

The tune to the main song, 'Sacrifice,' was written by Steve Tatton, of Cornelian Street, Blackburn, and percussion was added by 16-year-old Daniel Spink, of Ivy Terrace, Darwen.

The second track, 'Gale Moss Ballad,' tells how the campaigners came together to combat what they feared would be a disaster for wildlife.

Simon, who runs recording company Moving Music, said: "The songs get across how important it is to look after the environment, and show that local people can come together to achieve success."

The group acknowledge that William Hare could appeal against Chorley Council's decision or submit new plans and say they are watching the situation carefully.

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