COUNTY and boro-ugh councillors are joining forces to try to resolve an 18-month dispute that has divided a village.

Helmshore Community Action Group (HCAG) has been at loggerheads with Helmshore primary since the school fenced off playing fields which had been used as a village green for 70 years.

The school said it was to ensure pupils' security and has refused to allow community access, despite repeated efforts of HCAG, which accused the Gregory Fold school of "ripping the heart out of the community".

Hopes were raised when Rossendale Council devel-opment control committee refused a retrospective application for the 2.3m high fence in 2005, but the school reduced the height to 2m, for which planning permission is not needed.

Lancashire County Council cabinet member for schools Alan Whit-taker made numerous attempts to broker an agreement last year. This week HCAG members attended Lancashire Local Rossendale meeting to appeal for help.

Villager John Lund said more than 1,000 residents signed a petition against the fence.

He added: "HCAG proposed a compromise whereby the school had a fenced off area and the remainder was used jointly by the school and community, but we were refused."

Speaking at the meeting, LCC leader Hazel Harding said: "We do not have jurisdiction over a 2m fence.

"That decision is made by the governors along with the headteacher and staff.."

It was agreed that Coun Brian Essex, the council's younger people's cham-pion, and County Coun Sean Serridge, champion for children, will work with HCAG and the school to find a compromise.

No one at the school was available for comment.