THE anonymous town of Waterfoot is to get not just one sign, but two, after a long-standing campaign by traders.

Shopkeepers and business people submitted a petition to the development and environmental services committee of Rossendale Council.

Businessman Ryan Godwin, who runs the Copper Kettle guest house has agreed to fund a stone to be placed just after the Glen to welcome travellers from Bacup and Stacksteads.

And at the meeting councillors agreed to fund another sign from the direction of Rawtenstall. Today greengrocer Steve Taylor, who put together the petition which was presented to the committee, said: "I am absolutely delighted! We have campaigned for this for years and it is great news that we are finally going to be on the map.

"We are one of the busiest towns in Rossendale with hardly any empty shops and now people know where we are, we will, hopefully, become even busier."

Coun Clive Balchin accused residents of being parochial because the list of areas requiring signs totalled 31 throughout Rossendale. He said: "I think it is a complete waste of money. I would spend the money putting a big sign saying Rossendale is open for business on the bypass instead of these little signs. People are too parochial."

But Coun David Hancock said people in Waterfoot were not parochial and indeed had a very real problem when delivery drivers had to stop and ask people where the town was when they were actually in Waterfoot.

The committee recommended to approve new signs for Waterfoot, Haslingden, Rawtenstall and Edenfield.