CAMPAIGNERS for a St Annes town council are closer to their goal after Fylde borough councillors backed their parish application.

More than 50 people packed into the council chamber at St Annes Town hall on Thursday night, to hear councillors discuss the impact the proposed parish council would have on St Annes.

A number of councillors expressed concerns about the proposed boundaries of a new town council and the possible cost implications to council tax payers in St Annes, but overall the council supported a St Annes town council.

Council leader Councillor John Coombes said: "I think the council has made clear its commitment to the parishing of the borough as a whole."

A 3,000 signature petition calling for the creation of a parish council will be sent to the Secretary of State at the beginning of October, along with Fylde Borough Council's report and feedback obtained during a 'listening day'.

And residents still have time to express their views by writing to Fylde's chief executive, Ken Lee, at the town hall.