A CLEAN-UP of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the creation of a picnic area will be under discussion when Church Prospects Panel meets on Tuesday, February 9.

The group, which held its first meeting in November, aims to improve the quality of life for people in the area. Seven similar panels have been set up in other parts of Hyndburn to carry out environmental projects.

Members of Church Prospects Panel have already cleaned up the canal area close to the Commercial Hotel on Blackburn Road, and have cleaned up a stream at Dinely Street.

At their last meeting, the panel heard that tourists who might otherwise be attracted to the 24-mile flat stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Barrowford and Blackburn were being put off by the amount of dereliction along the route.

A picnic area at Church Kirk is due for discussion at the meeting. The panel previously heard how sightings of kingfishers, swans and ducks at Church Kirk have recently increased.

The panel is looking for more local people to get involved, and all are welcome to the meeting, which begins in Elmfield Hall, Gatty Park, Church, at 7pm.

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