AN East Lancashire football club chairman has been hailed as an example of the long-term commitment needed to revive a town centre.

Hyndburn Council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson praised Accrington Stanley chairman Andy Holt in a speech to the borough's Full Council on Thursday.

And said that the successful businessman's kind of long-term commitment was needed to bring the authority's ten year plan for Accrington town centre to fruition.

Cllr Parkinson told his council colleagues: "I would like to praise Accrington Stanley chairman Andy Holt for his commitment to the club.

"He has achieved wonderful things there.

"He came to the club eight years ago as a possible shirt sponsor and then became chairman.

"Andy Holt has demonstrated a real long-term commitment to Accrington Stanley over the years and must have spent in excess of £5million on it.

"Andy had a vision for the club over 10 years.

"That is the sort of long-term commitment we need with our 10-year-plan for Accrington Town Centre."

Hyndburn Council is currently preparing a £20million to the government's 'Levelling Up Fund' including grants for its10-year investment strategy to revive Accrington town centre.

After the meeting Cllr Parkinson said: "We would love to have Andy Holt's input on the steering group for our Accrington Town Centre Investment Plan."

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