RESIDENTS have been called to take part in a mass reporting of potholes in a borough.

Ribble Valley Cllr Ged Mirfin, who represents Billington and Old Langho, is campaigning against the vast number of 'serious' potholes on the main road which passes through Billington and in particular the 'poor' state of Whalley Old Road.

The councillor's campaign after Lancashire County Cllr David Whipp, who represents Pendle Rural, criticised County Hall for allocating more money to repairing the 'leafy lanes' of Ribble Valley compared to the 'urban' areas of Pendle and Burnley.

Cllr Ken Hind, who is leader of Ribble Valley Council, issued a stinging riposte against the county councillor.

He said: "This comment from the Liberal Councillor Whipp ignores that the Ribble Valley is the biggest rural borough in Lancashire with the most roads whose roads were neglected under the last Labour County Council administration he supported.

"This is a remedial programme correcting the past neglect, the proportion of the budget reflects the miles of roads.”

Cllr Mirfin said the Pendle councillor was 'talking nonsense' and encouraged residents to take part in a mass reporting of potholes in the borough.

He said: "I estimate that twice as much money ought to have been spent on potholes in the Ribble Valley because we have more road mileage than any other borough in Lancashire.

"The problem is that there is serious under-reporting of potholes.

"If nobody reports them nobody in authority will know they are there and nothing will be done about them.

"Which is why I encourage residents to report potholes as soon as they become aware of them and the quicker we can get something done about them.

"That is why I am encouraging residents to take part in a mass reporting of potholes."

Resident Geoff Isherwood, who lives near Whalley Old Road: “As the major road into the town, you would think that this should receive priority treatment, but it and many other roads in the borough are in desperate need of attention for safety reasons.”

"Between the Clitheroe boundary sign and the A59, a distance of about a mile, there were approximately 20 potholes in the southbound carriageway alone."