COUNCIL bosses in Hyndburn have admitted that a plan to create a new "gateway" into Accrington has stood still for three years.

Officials at Hyndburn Council hope to regenerate the canalside area around the former Hargreaves Warehouse and Commercial Hotel in Blackburn Road and Walmsley Close, Church.

But despite the project beginning in 2003, residents and councillors have been left disappointed at a lack of action on the main route into the area from Blackburn.

Alan Pearson, the chairman of Church Kirk Residents' Association, said: "After all this time nothing has happened. This is the main gateway into Accrington and Oswaldtwistle. We just want something that is pleasant for people to see when they walk or drive past."

The two buildings at the centre of the development project are privately owned.

Paul Worswick, plans and environment manager at Hyndburn Council, said he hoped to attract investors to the area to create a commercial or retail development.

He said: "Unfortunately for residents it looks like nothing has been happening on the ground but we are hopeful of finding a private investor.

"After three years we have a wealth of information on the site and we have a suggested way forward but there is no grant scheme."