BURNLEY Council officers have gone back to college to take a sign language course so that they can communicate more easily with the deaf.

When they have completed the British Sign Language Level 1 course at Nelson and Colne College they will start running in-house sessions to pass on the skill to other council employees.

Training is being offered to staff who come into regular contact with the public and others who have shown an interest.

The course is part of a programme being considered to improve the service to disabled groups and improve access to council buildings.

The economic and property sub-committee last night agreed to defer major expenditure on improved access to the town hall or other council buildings until work on forming an access strategy is adopted and priorities identified.

While work is going on to improve access and service to disabled groups it is unlikely that a formal access strategy will be adopted before the end of March.

Committee chairman Coun Wendy Croft agreed deferment on condition that available finances were also carried over into the next financial year.

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