PLANS to create a public park and playing field in Church have been submitted to Lancashire County Council.

The proposal is part of a seven-year programme, run by the county council and the North West Development Agency, to turn derelict land into community space.

The site in Bradshaw Street, between Hyndburn Sports Centre and Sacred Heart RC Primary School, has been identified as the first priority site under the REMADE scheme.

If the proposals are supported by the county council, a multi-use games area will be created for use by the school -- and for community use outside school hours.

There will also be an area of open parkland with paths and cycleways, seating, lighting and trees.

Although REMADE in Lancashire is leading the project, match-funding of around £240,000 is being bid for from the county council's education funding programmes and landfill tax funding bodies.

Decisions on these bids are expected in March and a decision on the planning application is expected in the next few weeks.

Borough and county councillor Jean Battle said: "It has been a real problem site for a long time."