PLANNING bosses say they plan to take full advantage of government plans for urban and rural areas.

The Government's urban White Paper 'Our Towns and Cities: The Future' recommends increased spending on urban transport and housing and was welcomed for the beneficial effect it could have on development by members of the the county council's planning, industrial development and tourism committee.

The urban White Paper also calls for bringing more redundant buildings back into use and developing brownfield sites, areas which have already been built on, in towns.

Councillors also welcomed the Rural White Paper 'Our Countryside: The Future', which aims to boost rural areas and strengthen protection of areas of outstanding natural beauty.

County Coun George Slynn, chairman of the committee, said both government proposals represented opportunities for regeneration across Lancashire.

He said the county council aimed to take "maximum advantage" of this.

Coun Slynn added: "In view of this the committee asked for reports back showing how to achieve benefits working across the county council but also with district council and other parts of the community."