VILLAGERS in Hoddlesden are being urged to vote for the Millennium Green to be made into a Queen Elizabeth Field.

The accolade would be to celebrate the Queen’s diamond jubilee next year, with the aim of protecting 2,012 green spaces from possible future development.

Linda Dawson, chair of the Hoddlesden Millennium Green committee, said: “If we succeed in getting the status, it means the green belongs to the people of the village forever. It will never be built on.

“It might also make it eas-ier to attract funding which we need to buy equipment for maintainence.”

The Millennium Green is used for several community events throughout the year, including a summer Big Picnic event and Christmas carol concerts.

It is owned by Blackburn with Darwen Council and loaned to the committee on a 999-year lease.

The deal means that future development on the site is “highly unlikely”. To vote, visit www.qe2fields. com and type in the postcode BB3 3QD.