CAMPAIGNERS fighting to have pylons moved from near their homes have vowed not to give up after calls for a Government review were rejected.

And Hyndburn MP Greg Pope has taken up the fight, pledging to ask the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to reconsider its decision.

Developers Barratt Homes and Persimmon Homes applied for the review in July 2001, to remove a section of overhead power cable and five pylons, owned and run by United Utilities, on a stretch along Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, near to their developments.

They learned this week that the Secretary of State had decided against a review because it could not be established whether there was a review clause in the original ministerial consent for the line, installed more than 60 years ago.

Ernest Goodyear, a chartered surveyor acting for the companies, supported by concerned residents, said: "It's a major blow. It's extremely poor and we are going to go the whole hog with it. This matter will not go away and we will insist that it be referred to the Ombudsman and pursued with all vigour.

"We've got to make the DTI backpedal. It's taken 19 months to give us this decision, which is ridiculous."

United Utilities has consistently argued the line is necessary to provide electricity for 12,000 homes in Clayton-le-Moors.

The company has launched a formal challenge to another method of having the lines removed, applying for consent from the landowners to keep the line in place. A hearing to decide that matter will take place in April.

A spokesman for United Utilities said: "We're pleased with the Secretary of State's decision, which recognises this power line has been there for more than 60 years and should be left in place as it's a vital part of the electricity network."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said: "I took this matter up with the DTI some months ago, but I'm very disappointed. The pylons are unsightly and people have other concerns about them. I shall go back to the DTI and see if there's another way to look at this issue."

Ward councillor and portfolio holder for environmental health, Coun Tim O'Kane, said: "I'm bitterly disappointed.

"Ours was a better case than some in other parts of the country and it seems unfair that we won't get this review."