A CAMPAIGN encouraging shoppers to support Haslingden will call upon them to support their 'Small Town, Big Heart' drive.

Council bosses have been working with a design company, Osprey, to develop a new 'brand' for the town as part of the Haslingden Task Force initiative.

And a range of promotional materials are being produced with the 'Small Town, Big Heart' design, including a new town centre shopping map and trail.

Town hall chiefs allocated £100,000 to the task force with £50,000 being invested in a shop front improvement scheme.

Each outlet involved can secure a grant of up to £2,000 to spruce up their frontage.

Seven traders have currently enlisted with the project and are working with architects to develop their proposals for the overhauls. They are expected to find the second half of the investment themselves.

Cllr Alyson Barnes, council leader, said: "Things are really starting to happen now though the task force and by working together with businesses and community groups in Haslingden, we can really make a difference to the town."

The town centre map, concentrating on the Blackburn Road, Manchester Road and Higher and Lower Deardengate axis, highlights everything from Haslingden Market to the Big Lamp and historic library, where leading Irish politician Michael Davitt studied his homeland.

The twin approach comes after the Lancashire Telegraph revealed a series of highway improvements have been unveiled by Lancashire County Council, designed to improve parking provisions at major crossroads.

Cllr Granville Morris, who represents Haslingden's Greenfield ward, said: "Hopefully this will benefit shopkeepers and improve trade in Haslingden, and remove some of the current restrictions."

Several traffic orders are the subject of an extensive public consultation before they are considered by County Cllr John Fillis, the council's highways and transport cabinet member.

The task force was established in 2014 and has notched up achievements including improved Christmas lights, better car parking signs, a pavements deep clean and new hanging baskets.

An appeal has also been launched by Love Haslingden, which sprung out of the same effort, for new volunteers. People are being urged to e-mail LoveHaslingden@gmail.com