PLANS for a flood defence scheme go on display tomorrow as a campaign against part of the project involving a nature sanctuary hots up.

Most of the 80 residents of Lomeshaye village, Nelson, have signed a petition opposing Environment Agency plans to build a new car park, loading bay and access road for a nearby textile firm on an award-winning nature reserve as part of the flood alleviation project.

Other work will involve building flood defence banks up to five feet-high along the river.

The Environment Agency will stage an exhibition at Nelson and Colne College's main site in Nelson until Saturday to give details of the scheme on Pendle Water between the college and Lomeshaye Industrial Estate.

Protesters' spokesman Andrew Clifford said the work would have a devastating effect on the Loamy Wood plant and wildlife sanctuary created by local people from rough land in the village. The project won a Lancashire Evening Telegraph Grimewatch award last year. There are also fears it will affect the neighbouring Lomeshaye Marsh nature reserve.

The car park and loading bay for Peter Reed Textiles is under threat because the river bank is collapsing and the Agency wants to create a new car park and loading area on part of the Loamy Wood site.

"The villagers are really annoyed about this," added Mr Clifford. "They all want the flood alleviation scheme to go ahead but we want the Agency to look at shoring the bank up instead."

Campaigners have enlisted the help of Pendle MP Gordon Prentice and local councillors and part of the scheme is due to be considered by Pendle Council next month.

Mr Clifford said the exhibition should have been held in neighbouring Glenfield Park business centre rather than the college, which was too far away for some elderly villagers to get to.

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