MPs Janet Anderson and Greg Pope are to be asked to plead for extra money for Rossendale Council at the highest level.

They are due to meet government ministers at the end of the month to ask for changes in local government funding which councillors believe have put the Valley in a poverty trap.

They believe the funding rules of the previous government have disadvantaged Rossendale compared with other councils in East Lancashire.

Council leader John McManus said: "On a per capita basis we get £1 million less than the average for East Lancashire and £2 million less than Blackburn."

Coun David Baron added: "We need to reinforce the message in the hope of being listened to."

But Coun Nick Pilling warned that proposed changes in funding could mean the council gaining more government grant but losing funding from business rates.

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