A PETITION has been launched to bring a commemorative fountain that has not worked for more than 30 years back to life.

More than 650 people have signed the petition in a matter of days to restore Bacup's coronation fountain in St James' Square.

Campaigners want the fountain to be included in the £2million revitalisation scheme for the town centre.

The improvements will include redrawing the traffic system and providing more space for pedestrians and events, including safer crossing points, widened pavements and better lighting.

Alison Fyldes, who has ran Forget Me Nots, which overlooks the fountain, started the campaign to bring the fountain back to life.

Ms Fyldes said there was a lot of support drummed up for the plan in a very short space of time.

She said: "There's so many positive plans for the town and the fountain should play a big part in it.

"The fountain could be a real attraction to bring people to the town and help provide more support for businesses.

"I remember it going as a child and a lot of people tell me how much nicer it looked when it was in action.

"It just seems a shame to have the town centre transformed and the fountain left behind."

The plans to improve the central area for pedestrians are a key part of the lottery-funded Bacup Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI).

Last year the Lancashire Telegraph reported the fountain could have been removed as part of the improvements, however objections were made by residents and councillors and the idea was scrapped.

Ms Fyldes said: "There's been so much support for the fountain I feel that it needs to be considered as part of the plans.

"The comments I've had from people have been so overwhelming.

"There's been plants there on occasion and then they come out they look great, but we need to get the water fountain back up and running."

The petition can be signed by visiting www.change.org/p/please-get-bacup-s-coronation-fountain-working-again.