A THIRD East Lancashire town has entered the race to become one of 12 Portas Pilot towns.

Business leaders and councillors in Nelson say their town should be bidding for a share of the £1million on offer to improve town centres.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry yesterday called for Rawtenstall and Darwen to be transformed under the scheme.

Last year, retail adviser Mary Portas, who made her name in the BBC show Mary Queen Of Shops, was asked by the Prime Minister to lead an independent review into the future of Britain’s high street.

She came up with The Portas Review, a 28-point list of recommendations to turn round the fortunes of Britain’s town centres.

Now, Local Government Minister Grant Shapps has launched the Portas Pilots competition.

Former Pendle Council leader and community campaigner Azhar Ali said: “Nelson has suffered over the years, despite millions being ploughed into rescuing the plethora of empty shops and businesses, including the Arndale Centre, which has resulted in it going into receivership.

“That’s why I’m calling on Pendle Council, inc-luding all of its local partners and organisations like Regenerate Pennine Lancashire, to come together to submit a strong bid to make Nelson a focus for this national support.”

County Coun George Adam said: “I am going to lobby Lancashire County Council to throw their weight behind such a bid for Pendle.

“We have been hammered recently with jobs being taken out of Nelson and Colne as well as numerous county buildings being left closed and rapidly becoming an eyesore.

“The least that the county council should do is to push hard to deliver for Nelson and Pendle.”