THE Lancashire Telegraph's We're Backing Darwen' campaign is to be congratulated in the House of Commons.

Darwen and Rossendale MP Janet Anderson plans to lay a motion in the House next week to publicly thank the Telegraph for its efforts and also to put the campaign on the national agenda.

The campaign was launched last week in a bid to help revitalise the town.

We are calling for a town council to be created in a bid to give Darwen a stronger individual identity and help bring in investment.

A petition has been launched on our website for Darwen residents to show support for a town council.

In addition, the campaign is asking for work to be done to improve the town centre traffic system and more focus on Darwen for events such as the Christmas Lights switch-on.

Mrs Anderson, who backed the campaign from the start, said: "I very much welcome any attempt by the Lancashire Telegraph to highlight Darwen, and act as an ambassador for the town.

"I'm particularly pleased that the Telegraph has launched an online petition for a town council for the people to show their feelings.

"When I get back to the Commons next week I plan to lay a motion to congratulate the paper on the good work."

Mrs Anderson is also pushing for improvements in the other key areas of our campaign.

She said: "The council have made a total mess of the traffic system.

"The traffic lights are not synchronised, and the council has admitted that to me. It means that the town centre can grind to a halt when all the traffic lights turn to red.

"There is also a dangerous right turn from Bolton road on to Duckworth Street.

"The angle of the junction is very sharp and there might be a possibility of heavy goods vehicles overturning."

Council bosses have admitted the traffic system is not working, but said there may be no funds available to put the problems right.