A BLUEPRINT setting out council plans to boost communities and the local economy across Burnley has been welcomed by councillors.

Burnley Action Partnership's Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy looks at the challenges facing the borough and the priorities for council investment.

The emphasis of the document is on how the council plans to work with other agencies like the police and health services to improve areas of health, education, employment, crime and housing.

The blueprint was drawn up following a wide-ranging consultation process with residents and organisations in the town.

It has been drawn up by the Burnley Action Partnership which brings together representatives from the public, private, community and voluntary sectors.

Mike Cook, project director in the council's market and community renewal team, said: "The strategy is an evolving document which will change as neighbourhoods themselves change.

"This is an excellent opportunity to start to turn around those parts of the borough in need and to publicise the many successes which are already happening.

"This will underpin the work about to start under the Elevate regeneration programme to renew and invigorate communities across the borough."

The Elevate programme is a government sponsored scheme aimed at tackling the borough's chronic housing. Burnley is one of nine areas across the country that has been told by the government it can bid for a share of £500 million regeneration cash.

Burnley Council hopes that the Elevate programme will act as a spur for the whole town and every ward in the Burnley borough, including outlying areas, will benefit.

Members of the council's executive endorsed the strategy for adoption when they met recently.