PLANS to promote better opportunities for people from all backgrounds in Rossendale have been backed by the council's cabinet which signed up to a Statement of Intent' on community cohesion.

The move will give Rossendale Community Cohesion Partnership extra support to remove barriers that lead to disadvantage and inequality.

The statement means that the council commits itself to delivering services 'in a way which encourages those from all backgrounds and circumstances to have similar life opportunities, and to live and work confidently alongside each other'.

Coun Daryl Smith, community and partnerships boss, said: "We know that some people face barriers to things like good health and housing and to learning and access to various other services based on who they are, where they live, their age, disability, faith, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation.

"By signing up to the statement of intent on community cohesion, the council is committing to making its services more accessible to all groups."

Ilona Snow-Miller, head of community and partnerships at the council, added: "We are also committing to promoting strong and positive relationships between people in schools, work places, in leisure and cultural activities and in neighbourhoods in general."