A QUESTION session to allow people to 'grill' councillors before meetings will be introduced in Pendle from next week.

The public will be able to discuss a range of topics from housing and road safety to street cleaning and noisy neighbours during a 15-minute spell before Pendle Council area committee meetings.

Councillors and officers will either provide immediate answers or give a written reply if facts need to be researched.

People will not have to give advance notice about questions they wish to ask.

Council secretary and solicitor Philip Mousdale said: "The scheme has been introduced to help local people find out more about the council's work. "The council will also gain an even closer understanding of local issues.

"The sessions will be introduced for a six-month trial period and I would urge the public to use this opportunity if the sessions are to continue."

Question time sessions will be held at 7pm prior to the area committee meetings starting at 7.15pm at the following venues next week: Monday; Nelson Town Hall; Tuesday Brierfield Town Hall and the Baptist school room, Salterforth; Thursday Barrowford Civic Hall and Colne Town Hall.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.