A CAMPAIGN has been launched to rid an East Lancashire town of its 'biggest eyesore.'

Councillors and residents are appealing for a massive, rusty grey gas holder in Heys Lane to be painted to improve Great Harwood's townscape.

Local councillor Coun Lin Wilson says it is an eyesore visible the town over and has appealed, through Great Harwood area council, for owners, Transco, to paint it.

She said: "It is, without doubt, the most horrendous-looking building in Great Harwood and I just wish Transco would do something to paint it."

Painting gas holders has become quite common in other parts of the country. Two in Birmingham sport City's colours and one in Newcastle has flowers.

Coun Wilson said she had hoped to get painting incorporated into the renewal of the consent issued to the company a fortnight ago so it could store natural gas on the site.

She was told it was not possible to include such a condition, but the area council's manager, George Garlick, is pursuing the issue.

Coun Jim Dickinson, chairman of the development services committee, said: "It is certainly a memorable eyesore."

Steve Watson, from the area council department, said: "We have contacted Transco and hope to address the issue at the next meeting of Great Harwood Area Council."

Nobody from Transco was available to comment.