AROUND £20,000 a year could be pumped into the Leeds-Liverpool Canal to rejuvenate its waterside.

A specialist panel, set up to undertake an in-depth review of the canal, has come up with a number of proposals to restore it to its former glory.

Hyndburn Council’s watchdog overview and scrutiny committee set up the panel after councillors received comp-laints about fly-tipping, litter, dog fouling and mini-motorbike nuisance at various hot spots along the length of the canal in the borough.

The report, which is due to be heard at the cabinet meeting on Wed-nesday, has come up with a number of recomm-endations to prevent anti-social and nuisance behaviour blighting the area.

It urges the council to develop a long-term plan for improvements.

This involves enlisting the help of organisations such as Prospects, an environment charity based in Hyndburn, and British Waterways to form the Canal Strategy Working Group.

The report recommends they be given a budget of £1,000 from the council as a start-up fund.

If approved the group hopes to secure £20,000 per year with 50 per cent of the funding coming from British Waterways.

The consultation rev-ealed the poor state of the canal had led to the decline in wildlife over a decade and highlighted the potential for raising tourism around the canal through leisure activities.

Leader of Hyndburn Council, Councillor Peter Britcliffe, said: “I think if we can make any imp-rovement to the canal bank we should.

“It could be an attr-action to the area bec-ause it runs through the borough. As long as we have an agreement with the waterways we should welcome it.”