A BODY which helps to fund town centre improvements in Burnley has appointed two new members.

The Business Improvement District (BID) has a new chairman and vice-chairman on board to help improve Burnley town centre.

Stan Kennedy, general manager of Gala Bingo, has been appointed chairman; and Paula Riley, president of Burnley Chamber of Trade, has been appointed vice-chairman of the Business Improvement District board.

Businesses and organisations contribute a small sum of money and work together to improve the areas they trade in, or have businesses in, as part of the Business Improvement District.

Mr Kennedy said: "I'm delighted to be part of such an influential town centre project.

"The Burnley Business Improvement District will be tremendously worthwhile for businesses in the town centre.

"It will enable the business community to come together to identify issues, generate funding, and take ownership of improvements, creating a brighter, safer and cleaner town centre that sees increased profits."

Burnley's Business Improvement District covers the area of the town centre inside the inner ring roads of Centenary Way, Queen's Lancashire Way, Active Way, and Church Street.

Business Improvement Districts were piloted in the USA.

They are now taking off in the UK, with almost 30 towns and cities, including Liverpool and Blackpool, introducing them.