ONE of Hyndburn’s ‘worst streets’ is set to undergo a £500,000 face lift.

Council Leader Cllr Miles Parkinson announced that Spring Street in Rishton would receive the money to offer housing and employment opportunities.

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He said that he wants to not just focus on Accrington for improvement across Hyndburn, and has targeted the previously troubled area for funding.

Cllr Parkinson said: “We’re not just focusing on Accrington Town Centre, we want to move on to other areas like Rishton.

“I want this to be something we can be proud of. The facelift will bring about real change.

“Historically the street was known as one of the worst in the area for anti-social behaviour and arson attacks.”

The announcement was made at the Hyndburn full council meeting on Thursday evening, that included the general fund revenue and capital budget for the next year being approved.

Cllr Parkinson said the work in the area has been inspired by similar renovation work carried out in Nuttall Street in Accrington and the multi-million pound Woodnook regeneration scheme.

The council hopes to build on improving the area after thirteen three-bedroom houses, 62 two-bedroom apartments and 62 one bedroom apartments were approved for development in 2011.

The work to target the area for refurbishment is ‘inspired’ by the work started by former councillor Harry Grayson, who was born in the area.

Cllr Parkinson said: “The idea goes back to the work of Harry Grayson, we want to see improvements to that site by the Leeds Liverpool canal.

“We believe that this investment will help attract new developers to the area. We hope the investment will see employment opportunities in the area.

“The street used to be home to mills which were the main employability area for people, we want to get that back”

At the peak of its problems in 2010, the street was subject to 66 arson attacks in one year.

Cllr Jeff Scales, who represents the area on Hyndburn Council, is pleased to see that the area has been made a priority for funding.

He said: “Spring Street has been an area that has seen a massive deterioration.

“This has been down to a lot of reasons such as poor landlords and incidents of crime.

“I think the news that that are going to be investing funds is fantastic and highly needed.”