PENDLE Council has moved to reassure residents as control of sewers in parts of the borough transfers to United Utilities.

From today the water company will take control of day-to-day running of sewers and pumping stations in Barnoldswick, Brierfield, Colne, Nelson and Pendleside, contracted to the council since 1974.

Residents and councillors have expressed fears of a drop in service, but the council said preparations were under way to make the transfer as smooth as possible.

At a January meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, residents from Ghyll Meadows in Barnoldswick, who have created a plan to tackle flooding, said they were concerned they would not get the same level of local support.

Sandra Edwards, a spokesperson for Ghyll Meadows residents' association, said: "We have problems up here a couple of times a year and recently by taking action straightaway we were able to prevent homes being flooded. The council is one of the first places we call, along with the fire brigade and the police, and I'm worried things will change when United Utilities takes over and we might have to call Warrington.

"Everyone is worried because all we have achieved is down to people working together and communication and the council have really taken everything on board. There's a lot of uncertainty because the people here at the moment know the area very well and we don't want things to go backwards."

Coun Margaret Bell, who chaired the meeting, spoke of "great concern".

But highways, engineering and design manager Peter Atkinson said today: "Both the council and United Utilities intend to make the transfer as smooth as possible and will continue to work together to maintain customer service levels.

"United Utilities network operation trams will control day-to-day maintenance and operations, including the construction of new sewers on building developments.

"The change will affect only the public network and not private sewers or drains, such as pipes leading from homes to the public network."

Questions or problems relating to sewers in the affected areas should be referred to United Utilities on 08456 020406.

Public sewers in Earby, Kelbrook, Salterforth and Foulridge are managed by Yorkshire Water and will be unaffected.