DARWEN and Rossendale MP Janet Anderson today backed Government moves to overhaul gambling laws.

The Government is to ban fruit machines in chip shops and minicab offices at the same time as allowing million-pound jackpots for 'one-armed bandits' in Britain's biggest casinos - including some planned for Blackpool - as part of the new measures.

Mrs Anderson said the measures, announced by culture, media and sport secretary Tessa Jowell, would have a knock-on effect and boost the East Lancashire economy.

A former culture minister, Mrs Anderson said: "I was on the committee which scrutinised this bill. I am delighted the Government has accepted the majority of our recommendations and is to reconstitute the all-party group to look at the final proposals.

"I am very pleased about the proposals for regional casinos, which could see one or more in East Lancashire. That would be good for the local economy and for tourism.

"I am pleased about the move to take fruit machines out of premises such as chip shops and minicab offices and delighted at the limit on the number of gaming machines at any one gambling premise.

"What we really don't want to see is giant gambling sheds with hundreds and thousands of fruit machines like you get in Australia.

"This strikes a good balance between protecting children and the vulnerable and modernising the gaming industry for the benefit of Britain and areas like East Lancashire."