BURNLEY MP Julie Cooper has backed a Westminster call to extend the M65 across the Pennines.

She has added her name to her Hyndburn Labour colleague Graham Jones House of Commons motion on the issue.

Signed by five MPs it urges government ministers to support the scheme.

It reads: “We are concerned by the continued lack of transport infrastructure serving West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and East Lancashire.

“We note that significant investment in both road and rail infrastructure is required.

“We suggest the M65 be extended from Colne to East Leeds with connecting spurs to the M62 South and M1 North.

“We further suggest existing rail connections are updated between Leeds Bradford Airport and Leeds City, with updated links to the north east, to Burnley and Accrington.”