RESIDENTS who plan to buy a useless piece of council land have been hailed ‘public heroes’.

The former footpath in Colne is to be sold to nearby householders by Pendle Council.

Senior councillors have approved the disposal of the small patch of land adjoining 8 Briercliffe Avenue to the occupants of the house.

The council’ s Policy and Resources Committee this month declared the land surplus to requirements in order for the sale to be negotiated.

They were told in a report: “The land is formerly a footpath which was closed off a number of years ago when the adjoining school was built. It comprises an area of planted shrubs which are maintained by the council’s environmental services when they become overgrown."

Waterside ward Liberal Democrat Cllr Tony Greaves said: “This is a useless piece of land and the offer should be grabbed with both hands. I would let them have it for a pound. They are public heroes.”