A £1.2MILLION project to tackle potholes, litter and increase grass cutting has been announced after a deluge of complaints over cuts to services in Blackburn and Darwen.

The move is a victory for the Lancashire Telegraph, after we highlighted issues across the borough.

Complaints included emptying park bins only half as regularly as before and plans to cut just one-metre of grass verges and leave the rest.

We also launched Pothole Watch this winter to highlight the blighted condition of many of our local roads.

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Kate Hollern said: “We have listened and we are going to increase what we spend in these areas.

“We know potholes is a major issue to so many people as are clean streets and clean neighbourhoods.

“We appreciate the Telegraph highlighting these concerns.

“We plan to focus any of the limited funds still available to do the things residents tell us are most important to them.

"People across the borough have told us that these are the issues that they want their council to be tackling.”

She said that £1million has been found from the budget that was set aside for improvements to Blackburn town hall. An additional £180,000 has been sourced from efficiency savings.

This year the council must make £33million of efficiency savings.

She said the cash will be used to resurface some of the worst roads in the borough - which are continuing to deteriorate.

The environmental programme will pay for additional grass cutting and dealing with problems such as overhanging branches and trees.

A new community clean up initiative is also being launched. The council is buying equipment including litter pickers, bags and skip hire so it can work better with local groups to keep the borough clean and tidy.

It will also be used to buy mowers and strimmers which communities can loan to help maintain the areas in their neighbourhoods.

Community payback teams will also take to the streets to carry out litter clearances, small scale grounds maintenance works and painting.

During the summer, they will concentrate on hot spots areas and the teams will spend the winter months working on shrub beds, cutting back trees and removing litter.

The cost of replacement bins has been reduced from £29 to £10 and the amount of bulky waste which can be removed as part of the Council's collection service has been increased.

Coun Hollern said: “Services were bound to have been affected after £33m was taken out of our budget as result of the Government cuts.

"All the early action we are taking across the Council to make sure we the massive savings happen is on track, which has included things like staff agreeing to take unpaid leave and reducing the number of managers.

"We plan to focus any of the limited funds still available to do the things residents tell us are most important to them.

"People across the borough have told us that these are the issues that they want their Council to be tackling.

Councillor Faryad Hussain said: "Residents, quite rightly, are concerned about the cleanliness of the borough.

"We have to work smarter and better with the limited budgets we have and work with our residents who are keen to play a role in helping us achieve this. They are contacting us to say they want to help more and play their part which is fantastic."

Dave Scott, owner of Design hair salon, Blackburn Road, Darwen, launched a petition in February to repair potholes.

The petition had over 3,000 signatures.

He said: “I am delighted with the decision and welcome the news.

"There have been a large number of cars that have been damaged by potholes.

"It is positive for the borough and I welcome the fact they have found the money to carry out the repairs.”