LOCAL Liberals are wheeling out the big guns in their battle to defend existing seats and win more in the Pendle Council elections on May 7.

National Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown will be in the borough on Monday lending his support to local candidates.

His programme will include a visit to Earby, where three-times winner Doris Allen is standing again for the Liberals.

Pendle is already Liberal-controlled, with the local party defending 10 seats and hoping to win two or three more on May 7.

All nine West Craven councillors are currently Liberal, with three of those seats, including Coun Allen's, being contested this time.

Paddy Ashdown will be in Pendle from mid-afternoon through to the evening on Monday and is planning to visit Earby for 6pm, to meet the young people behind the in-line skate park scheme at Sough Park, together with local councillors and residents.

Work on laying the foundations for the skate park began in earnest at the park this week, and the youngsters continue fundraising to help pay for the equipment there.

Mr Ashdown will also receive a presentation on Pendle's successful "Youth Focus" bid for Single Regeneration Budget funding for schemes involving young people throughout the borough.

Earby Ward councillor Doris Allen said she and fellow local Liberals were thrilled to hear that Paddy Ashdown was not only visiting Pendle, but spending enough time in the borough to see many of the good things that are happening.

"Pendle is gaining a national reputation for being a go-ahead, open and very people-based council, which combines efficiency with democracy," said Coun Allen.

"It is becoming a model for Liberal local government and a genuinely modern approach."

She added that she was very pleased that Mr Ashdown intended to visit Earby, where the in-line skating project was a good example of a community-based scheme which had come from the young people themselves.

"They have worked with councillors and council officials. They have raised money themselves towards the project.

"When doubts were expressed by some people, they have taken care to discuss possible problems and to work with the council and residents to find the best solutions to them.

"This scheme is a real credit to young people in Earby and a real example to other places," said Coun Allen.

"We are delighted that Paddy Ashdown is taking the time to find out from them how they have gone about it."

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