A £20,000 survey is being carried out in a bid to find ways of helping the regeneration of Great Harwood.

Lancashire County Council is to appoint consultants in October who will be given the task of identifying the reasons that land and buildings are being left vacant and underused in Great Harwood.

Speaking at the Great Harwood Area Council, local County Councillor and chairman of an environment committee George Slynn explained: "In some parts of Great Harwood there are areas that are extremely unattractive to both residents and businesses. These convey the impression of decline, and an unattractive environment is a hurdle to private investment and new business. As part of its commitment to urban regeneration of Lancashire's most needy areas, the County Council is financing this study for the inner area of Great Harwood after carrying out widespread local consultation."

The study which will also consult with residents and local businesses to try and identify the underlying problems which have led to areas being left deserted and run down.

The results will be used to aid inward investment and development of the town and an action plan will be devised towards attaining grants and other funding to help regenerate the town.

One of the main areas causing concern is in the former Mill Lodge area, Britannia Street. Coun Winifred Frankland said: "That area is an absolute disgrace. It is a large area but there is nothing on it and it is used for fly tipping.

"One of the main problems which needs to be resolved seems to be ownership of certain areas of land so that they can be redeveloped and anything that is going to help these areas is very welcome."

Tim Blythe, project development officer for Lancashire County Council, said: "It is a very long process from the conception of an idea to the implementation of a project but we are in talks with consultants.

"The final report, which should be completed by January 2002, will have clear conclusions and actions that can be taken forward and when we are armed with that information we can make grant applications for regeneration in the area."

The county council is also providing staff to manage the study contract, and ultimately ensure that it is used to change the situation in Great Harwood.

Earlier this year, the town welcomed a new supermarket. As well as opening their new shop in Queen Street, the Co-op also paid for the provision of a new library nearby. Harwood House, the former Co-op building, is being transformed into a wine bar and coffee lounge after spending several years empty and run down.