THE man who could hold the key to bringing new life to Pendle if there is a change of Government at the election visited the area on Saturday.

Keith Vaz, Labour Shadow MInister for Planning and Regeneration was in Brierfield as the guest speaker at a fund-raising dinner.

MP Gordon Prentice said later: "Keith made a spellbinding speech. After the election, as Regeneration Minister, he could well be in a pivotal position so far as funding is concerned.

"He is already well aware of the needs of the area.

"I spoke at length in the Commons on the Housing Grants and Regeneration Bill about the particular housing problems we have in Pendle.

"An astonishing 57 per cent of the housing stock was built before 1919. It is little wonder it needs a major overhaul."

The dinner at Brierfield Community Centre was hosted by Pendle councillors Azhar Ali and Roger Abbiss and attended by more than 100 people.

Added Mr Prentice: "These fund-raising events are very important to us in the Labour Party. Unlike the Conservatives, we cannot - and do not wish to - rely on anonymous, multi-millionaire foreigners to underwrite our election costs."

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