THINGS are getting better in Burnley - but it could cost the town millions.

The latest "poverty league" tables show the borough climbing out of the mire of deprivation.

Burnley, which was the 57th most deprived area in the country has improved 20 places to 77 in the chart, according to the latest index.

And it is a similar story in Rossendale which has jumped eight places to 116th in the survey, which tests unemployment levels, overcrowding, lack of housing amenities and the number of children on free school meals.

But good news could be bad news for Burnley because the improving position could mean the town will no longer qualify for the massive Government cash help its lowly status brought in the past.

The latest index, however, shows Pendle going downhill - the 101st most deprived area, two places worse than before.

The deprivation league is one of the key factors the Government uses to decide just who gets cash aid for regeneration - an issue which cost Pendle dear some years ago when it failed by just two places to qualify for Urban Programme status. Burnley urban regeneration co-ordinator Mike Cook says reasons for the move to greater affluence are not clear, but reckons the town's improving employment position could have affected the outcome.

He welcomed the decision to update the index but says vital factors like the particular problems facing minority groups, and levels of ill health are not being picked up.

In his response on behalf of the council, he says levels of unfitness in the private housing sector are not taken into account at all in the index which will remain fundamentally flawed until they are.

He adds that the decision to leave out car ownership levels in the new tables is regrettable.

Mr Cook's report to councillors says the index will weaken Burnley's case for further dedicated regeneration funding should funding levels be dependent upon it.

He adds: "Considerable resources from the Challenge Fund and Structural Fund programmes already finance a number of initiatives directly aimed at addressing poverty, through the council and other agencies.

"Continuation of these initiatives, or new ones in future, will again be dependent on attracting regeneration monies."

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