A BUSY road in Darwen has been renamed in honour of a businessman dedicated to putting the environment on the industrial and public agenda.

Eccleshill Road will now be known as Paul Rink Way in to recognise the contribution Mr Rink has made to the town.

He helped set up Blackburn Groundwork Trust in 1989 and was its chairman for over a decade.

Earlier this year, ill health forced him to cut down on many of his commitments.

Mr Rink was awarded an OBE for his service to the environment and the community in 1985 and the Trust, now known as Groundwork Pennine Lancashire Trust, is still involved in a wide variety of environmental projects in the borough.

The council agreed to the renaming following the request from Groundwork Pennine Lancashire Trust .

The new road sign was put in place this week.

Mr Rink said: “I owe a great deal to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

“Back in 1988 they helped to make it possible for my company to move from Bolton to Darwen.

“When we started our Groundwork Trust, they were again supportive and made a major financial contribution to our Environmental Centre at Nova Scotia Wharf. They literally made it possible.

“Over my whole time as chairman of the trust, and to this day, they have encouraged and supported our work.

“This has been a very rewarding experience and to cap it all the council decides to rename a road. What an honour.

“But perhaps it should have been called Groundwork Way to acknowledge all the wonderful work done over nearly 20 years by dedicated and delightful people.”

Peter Neill, executive director of Groundwork Pennine Lancashire Trust, said: “Paul Rink was the founder of Groundwork in Blackburn and has always been a strong ambassador for the town.”

Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration and environment said: “This a fitting tribute to a man who has contributed a great deal to the borough of Blackburn with Darwen and its residents.

“The council works very closely with Groundwork in helping to tackle environmental issues, many of which has helped make a difference to the quality of life of our residents.”

The council said the road had been chosen because it was busy but did not have many houses or businesses which made the change of name less complicated.