TALKING at last...the leaders of breakaway Blackburn and Blackpool finally get round the table with County Council chief Louise Ellman to discuss the implementation of the local government shake-up in Lancashire which is giving the two districts full independence only 19 months from now.

About time, too - as for all Mrs Ellman's apparent refusal until now to recognise this reality, the transition of services from the county to these emergent self-run boroughs is a huge and vital task that needs to be carried out smoothly and effectively for the sake of users and the local government employees involved in the reorganisation.

Now, we are told that all three sides pledge to resolve their differences and co-operate over this giant job.

We are happy to hear this - as the previous sulky, won't-talk stance from County Hall over its empire been shrunk did no-one any good at all.

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