A COUNCILLOR claims his complaint about an overgrown Remembrance Garden in Oswaldtwistle has been ignored by Hyndburn Borough Council.

But the council says the garden at the bottom of Rhyddings Street was inspected, and work to improve the area is under way.

Conservative group leader Coun Peter Britcliffe, also president of the Oswaldtwistle branch of the Royal British Legion, wrote to the chief executive almost four weeks ago expressing concern about the "very untidy" state of the War Memorial.

He wants the garden tended all the year round, and not just for Remembrance Sunday.

The chief executive replied the next day advising him that another officer would contact him directly, but Coun Britcliffe said he had heard nothing since and no action had been taken about the garden.

Coun Britcliffe said: "It really does make me wonder why we have locally elected councillors if the easiest of requests seem to be ignored."

A Hyndburn Council spokesperson said: "The council attaches great priority to responding to councillors.

"Coun Britcliffe received a reply from the chief executive.

"The garden was inspected and work is being carried out."

Flower beds have been weed treated, improvements are to be carried out to the area where memorial crosses are placed, and four new benches have been ordered. Coun Britcliffe will receive details of the action taken within the next few days."

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