HASLINGDEN residents are fighting to drive HGVs off the town's roads.

They have started a campaign following concerns about the number of lorries using Haslingden's roads.

Residents living in Roundhill Road and Hud Hey Road say the number of HGVs passing through the town has increased since an experimental seven-and-a-half-tonne weight ban was introduced on Grane Road in February.

Dave Stansfield, who lives on Roundhill Road and Lynn Turner, who lives on Hud Hey Road, have joined forces to distribute 1,000 leaflets to homes in the town, as well as putting posters up in shops and knocking on doors collecting signatures for a petition.

They believe the lorries -no longer permitted on Grane Road -are using Haslingden as a short cut to the motorways.

The problem stretches from Hud Hey Road and Roundhill Road to the Winfields' roundabout, through the town centre to Road End and the by-pass, affecting residents living in all these areas.

Dave, 65, said residents would like to see an order banning HGVs from their streets.

He added: "The main problem is the damage they are doing to the properties that they go by and the danger that they pose.

"The roads are too narrow and it's a serious accident waiting to happen. Elderly people are having to get up early in the morning to move their cars because they will get pranged.

"We have had people saying they don't need to set an alarm clock because their beds shake at certain times, because of all the heavy vehicles passing through."

Hundreds of signatures were collected after a packed meeting, attended by more than 100 residents.

The petition was presented to the county council.

Speaking at this week's Lancashire Local meeting, held in Stacksteads, Rossendale Council Leader Duncan Ruddick said: "I attended the residents' meeting where the strength of feeling was very strong.

"I know the county will get 100 per cent support from residents for an order banning HGVs in the area.

"The displacement of vehicles from Grane Road onto other roads is affecting the quality of life of people living on these roads in a fairly severe way and they will get support from all members at this meeting. "

Highways bosses at Lancashire County Council say they are looking into implementing further traffic regulation orders on the problem routes.