GRAHAM Jones is continuing his campaign against betting machines.

The Hyndburn MP has spent years warning of the dangers of the fixed odds betting terminals (FOBTs), dubbed the 'crack cocaine' of gambling.

And in Parliament, the Labour man asked culture, media and sport secretary John Whittingdale if 'he will bring forward proposals for local authorities to determine locally the provision of such gaming machines'

Under-secretary Tracey Crouch replied: "Government measures on FOBTs are very new, but we are working with the Gambling Commission and industry to ensure they are effectively evaluated.

"We are also pushing the industry to do more on social responsibility, including self-exclusion pilots that are currently underway in Chatham and Medway."

The Lancashire Telegraph reported earlier this week that Betfred has applied for planning permission to convert a former retail unit into a betting shop in Accrington town centre.

The betting giant wants to move from its existing unit at 17-19 Blackburn Road to 43-45 on the same, a move it said would increase footfall.

Betting machines, or fixed-odds terminals, which allow punters to spend £100 every 20 seconds on virtual casino and racing games, are causing ‘significant’ problems, Hyndburn Council has claimed previously.

It has called for power to be able to 'stop the proliferation of betting shops' in the borough.