A HI-TECH speed sign is back up and running in Pendle after firefighters agreed to climb ladders to help with its maintenance.

Speed Indicator Devices (SpIDs), which show drivers their speed, often with a smile if they are within the limit and a frown if they are over, have been left dormant across Lancashire after safety concerns emerged over climbing ladders.

Pendle's first community-owned SpID, which was bought as a joint venture between Trawden, Laneshawbridge and Foulridge 18 months ago, was left blank at the side of Church Street, Trawden, from August.

But on Monday this week the sign was brought back into use after Colne firefighters agreed to take temporary charge of the device.

Councillors had feared Trawden's SpID would have to remain there until Lancashire County Council organised a scheme to train community members to move the signs to different sites, and take them down to recharge.

Police had to pull out of the scheme because community officers there were not ladder-trained, and chiefs will not offer the training, saying there are now too many signs for officers to cope with.

Clerk of Trawden Forest Parish Council Adele Waddington said: "It was getting quite annoying to be unable to do anything with our SpID. People had been asking what's going on with it and as far as we're concerned, it's just a complete waste of money if it's not being used.

"We're very grateful to the fire service for helping us out."

Peter Andrews, of Lancashire County Council's environment directorate, said meetings had been held with the police and fire and rescue service to organise a training scheme for parish councillors.

He said: "I'm glad Pendle has found a temporary solution to the problem, and we are now setting up the scheme to allow community members to deploy the signs. The first courses should be available towards the end of October."