THREE groups are to be set up to look at how to regenerate urban and rural areas and improve public transport.

The decision to set up the task groups, each of which will take on one of the three themes, was made at the first meeting of Lancashire County Council's environment overview and scrutiny committee.

The committee challenges decisions taken by the all-powerful cabinet on matters relating to the environment and also investigates new ideas.

The task groups will discuss and research these key issues, which are currently the subject of Government White Papers, to enable the committee to make the best possible progress.

County Councillor George Slynn explained: "The committee has agreed that we can make the biggest difference to people's lives by tackling these key issues.

"As we move into a new age of local government it is important that we investigate the environmental issues that are closest to people's hearts.

"The recent foot and mouth crisis and the tragic effects on the rural economy has highlighted the need for diversification of businesses in these areas.

"This is a need that the county council has been working on for some years.

"Now is the perfect opportunity for councillors to work together to identify good work that is already being done like this and how it can be best used for the benefit of everyone in the county."

The committee decided that it would also oversee and review issues like community planning, the waste management strategy implementation and Environmental Grant Aid schemes which support 'green' groups.