READERS’ comments to the Lancashire Telegraph really do matter — it’s official.

For the first time, a council has taken readers’ postings from the Lancashire Telegraph website as a gauge of opinion over plans to expand a new school in Blackburn.

The comments are included in the official consultation document for the Wensley Fold Primary School expansion proposal.

Blackburn with Darwen Council listed the five postings left on the story from our website.

It is the first time this newspaper’s web comments have been used in such a way. They were placed alongside the more usual evidence, such as sub-mitted letters and opinions sought by the council.

Coun Chris Thayne, executive member for children’s services, said: “We were fortunate that the Lancashire Telegraph had published a story about the public consultation that was being conducted and the public meeting that had taken place.

“We had included the five online responses as we wanted council members to be aware of all views submitted, including those from members of the public who had commented on the story about the school via the Lancashire Telegraph online comments facility.

“It is not standard practice but on this occasion it was done within the context of seeking even further views from the wider community that may have opinions on the proposals.

“We had already carried out our own extensive public consultation.”

The Telegraph website allows readers, once registered, to post their comments on almost all stories.

The council wants to extent Wensley Fold Primary School, creating an extra 210 places, after a study showed there would not be enough places for the community in the coming years.