THE leader of Hyndburn's opposition Labour group has criticised the work being done on Accrington's main shopping street.

Work started on the £560,000 refurbishment of Broadway in the summer and is expected to be completed later this month.

But Coun David Myles said the work was merely "maintenance," not refurbishment: "It was in a horrendous state of disrepair. I wouldn't call it good value for money for a few flagstones, some tarmac and some metal seats."

Council leader Coun Peter Britcliffe accused Labour of "talking down" the town.

He said: "We took the lowest tender and it does represent good value for money. It is not finished yet -- the fancy touches are still to be added -- but I think it is already looking very pleasing.

"You should welcome the redevelopment of the town centre and should be talking the town up , not talking it down."

The Labour leader also quizzed Coun Britcliffe about the number of empty shops in the town centre.

Coun Britcliffe said that in the last 12 months 40 retail units had been filled, 11 of which had been vacant for more than 12 months, and that the majority of these had undergone major external and internal refurbishment.

He added that 36 shop units were still empty -- 22 of which had been empty for more than 12 months plus."