PEOPLE living across East Lancashire are being asked to cast their vote for an innovative project to revitalise the River Calder running through Padiham.

Blueprints to revitalise the rundown riverside route, from Padiham fire station to Somerfield supermarket, have won through to the final of a People's Millions competition, run by Granada Television for the Big Lottery Fund.

TV camera crews have been visiting the town to detail the current state of the river walkway, before a two-minute video package is aired on November 29.

Viewers will then have the opportunity to vote for their favourite - and Padiham town councillors are hopeful that the £50,000 plus prize will be theirs.

The town council has agreed to add disabled access proposals into its bid, which will see a range of benches and litter bins installed, so people can enjoy the many wildfowl attracted to the Calder's banks in Padiham.

The area will also be the subject of a clean-up campaign to remove years of accumulated rubbish.

Residents have frequently complained that the river's banks, which is frequently the target of flytippers, has been an under-appreciated part of the town's heritage.

Town clerk Elizabeth Bolton said that filming was taking place at the rear of the town hall - up to two hours footage could be shot before the final presentation is compiled.

"At the end of the day what we need people to do is pick up the telephone and vote for our application," said Mrs Bolton.

Coun Bob Clark added: "We are very passionate about our riverside, and people should show their moral support for this project.

"I have been campaigning for the riverside area for 20 years and this is such a big thing that we should show our backing for it."

Initially supporters of the Padiham bid had been told that they had only made a reserve list for the event. But the organisers had a change of heart and promoted the East Lancashire town to the main competition.

Voting will take place between 9pm and midnight on November 29, with the winner announced on Granada TV the following evening.

The Padiham bid will be up against an adventure playground at a special school in Ulverston, an arts project for autistic children in Poulton-le-Fylde and wasteland regeneration projects in Bolton and Netherley on Merseyside.

Other shortlisted projects include an upgrade to an arts centre in Hulme, Manchester, a facelift for a community cinema in Liverpool and the refurbishment of a park in Warrington.