COUNCILLORS have backed a plan to lobby the prime minister to visit Pendle in a bid to highlight the work being done to tackle deprivation.

The aim of the visit would be to highlight the work being done to reduce crime, create jobs to stregthen the economy, increase social cohesion, and improve leisure activities and housing conditions in Pendle.

Coun David Whipp said a visit by Gordon Brown would benefit Pendle residents by getting them more than just crumbs' when the government undertakes it's three yearly spending review in October.

The visit would allow the prime minister to see the effect of the Elevate's investment into Pendle homes and understand the catastrophic' consequences of the funding drying up, added Coun Whipp.

Coun David Whipp, who introduced the motion at Thursday's full council meeting, said: "The residents of Pendle want to see the benefits from the Brown Bounce and they want to get Gordon Brown here to see for himself the very good use we make of the resources and the difference we make to the people of Pendle.

"It will also allow him to see the task we have for turning around the areas of deprivation that we have.

"We need to get him here before October when the next Comprehensive Spending Review takes place so that they know the effect that this government will have on the every day lives of ordinary folks in the streets and homes of Pendle.

"So that when he is divvying up the cake that we get more than the crumbs."

Councillors acknowledged that further work needed to be done to improve residents quality of life and all but one of the councillors, the BNP's Brian Parker, approved the motion to invite the prime minister.