AN end to the Iraq crisis is the New Year wish of Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw.

But the man embroiled in the battle against terrorism also has a wish-list closer to home - including football domination for his beloved Blackburn Rovers!

Mr Straw said: "I hope there will be a peaceful resolution to the Iraq crisis, a Middle East settlement with justice and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike.

"For Blackburn I would like to see further improvements in the town centre and in the town and the area's economy.

"The other thing I would like is for Blackburn Rovers to beat Manchester United twice more, and we could have replays in Burnley of Blackburn's two great victories over the Clarets in 2000/01"

Nigel Evans, MP for the Ribble Valley, joined Mr Straw is his vision over Iraq and said: "I hope it complies with UN resolutions and there will be no outbreak of war.

"At home I hope the government prioritises helping the countryside and giving new hope to the beleaguered farming industry.

Peter Pike, Burnley's MP, said: "I would want to see peace and don't want us to go to war with Iraq.

"We need to tackle the problem of poverty which is widely the cause of terrorism.

"Nationwide I would hope we can get problems like the firefighters dispute settled and locally I want to see the start of positive progress in solving the housing problem.

"I am waiting for an early announcement of the money which will be made available to us.

"It will take some years to come to us but I hope work will start as soon as possible.

"I would also like to see the schools issue resolved and will be going to see the parents in the New Year.

"The people of Burnley should be encouraged to live peacefully and I look forward to more people in the town getting employment."

The fight to improve houses across the area is top of the list for Coun Jean Battle, acting leader of Hyndburn Council.

She said: "I hope we get this £170 million to improve our housing stock in East Lancashire because we have a great problem and we need to do something.

"If we get that sorted that it would be fantastic.

"The situation in Iraq is a bit worrying too and could affect everybody's lives in this country."

Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Alan Chesters, said: "There are two things I wish for.

"The first has got to be a prayer for world peace and the second is a revival of local community life in which people feel that their contribution matters.

Lisa Durkin, Burnley's Town Centre Manager, said: "We have a lot to look forward to but 2003 will mainly be a planning year to launch us into 2004.

"There will be a lot of things going on behind the scenes to try and get things moving ready for 2004.

"The new Tesco should be open by September 2003 and we should see a newly refurbished railway station because the funding is around for that to happen.

"In regards to new developments we will be working with the new shopping centre owner and looking at the potential in and around the town centre to get further investment for Burnley."

Stuart Caddy, leader of Burnley Council, said: "I am looking for continued support and an early announcement from the Government in 2003 to tackle the real issues of concern around market re-structuring.

"I recognise the good and loyal work that the council and its communities are doing to make Burnley a better place for everyone and to wish everyone a successful and peaceful New Year."

Lancashire Chief Constable Paul Stephenson said: "I am sure that next year will bring with it many more challenges and demands.

"It will also bring numerous exciting opportunities for us to make a real difference to the lives of people living in Lancashire's communities. We will continue our fight against crime and disorder by working closely with all our partners.

"We remain totally committed to tackling the problem of drugs and the scourge they bring to our society.

"Our focus will be to take out street-level dealers to impact on the availability of drugs as this directly affects people living in Lancashire. I am looking forward to 2003 with confidence and I hope that it will be a peaceful and successful time for us all."Little is wishing Clarets go large

IF Clarets star winger and Lancashire Evening Telegraph columnist Glen Little's wish is granted, East Lancashire's most passionate football derby could be back on the menu with Burnley and Rovers squaring up in soccer's top flight.

"It would be great to make the play-offs and then go on to get promotion," he said.

"But I guess the main thing you hope for is to stay fit and healthy."

Fitness was also high on the hopes at Ewood Park where Blackburn Rovers chief executive John Williams said: "Everyone at the club would want to see a successful return to full fitness and top form for Matt Jansen."

Little's boss at Turf Moor, Stan Ternent, admitted there was still some work to do before his squad could make the step up back into the top division.

"I just hope that in the next year we will be healthier than we have been in the past few months and all of the first team squad will be available," he said.

Pauline Perkins, secretary of the Blackburn Rovers Supporters Association, said: "I would dearly like to retain the Worthington Cup. I think we have done wonderfully well to get to the semis final again. A top six place would be wonderful as well.

"I suppose most of the Rovers fans would relish the thought of the Burnley v Rovers derby but I think they would prefer them to stay in the First Division."