HYNDBURN’S Labour Group has been rewarded for its use of new media and innovative campaigning.

The borough’s Labour councillors were presented with the award after launching a number of online blogs, and social media accounts.

Rishton councillor, Ken Moss, set up the Rishton First blog in February 2010.

He regularly updates it to promote the activities in his town, and to make residents aware of ongoing issues.

Coun Moss said: “It’s nice to get a little bit of recognition from higher up for the work we are doing at a local level here in Hyndburn.

“Our readership is growing all the time, from just a few hundred in 2010, to well over 10,000 every month in 2013.”

He continued: "On a fundamental level it also allows us to communicate with residents in a different way and reach out to people who may never read the leaflets that come through their door, or show any interest in what they perceive 'politics' to be.”