DELIGHT has swept Blackpool Town Hall since the official announcement of home rule for Blackpool.

After three months of government deliberation and a four-year campaign by the council, Secretary of State for the Environment John Gummer has granted unitary status to Blackpool.

Councillor Ivan Taylor said: "This is the best news the town has had for many years.

"We can now look forward with optimism and use our new responsibilities to tackle the town's problems."

From 1998, the town will break away from Lancashire County Council to run all services on its own.

Education, social services and trading standards will be controlled from Blackpool rather than County Hall in Preston, although police and fire services will still be run from Lancashire authorities.

Louise Ellman, leader of Lancashire County Council, believes the decision to be an "irresponsible" one.

She added: "Latest estimates show that taking both Blackpool and Blackburn out of Lancashire would cost council taxpayers at least £10 million a year more.

"It is an irresponsible decision which will cost the taxpayer dear.

"Lancashire County Council will continue to campaign for the status quo and I call on Lancashire MPs to fight for Lancashire people and oppose this proposal in Parliament."

The next stage in the process is for Parliament to approve the change and this will be followed by council elections.

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