DEPRIVED neighbourhoods in Pendle are hoping to make a comeback when the first phase of a £4 million regeneration scheme begins this summer.

Pendle Council this week gave the green light to spend £881,000 in the first phase of funding on projects which will boost employment, tackle community safety issues and improve the quality of life in deprived areas of Nelson, Colne and Brierfield.

The council will be working with Lancashire County Council to address local people's concerns.

Key projects will include:

funding for householders suffering fuel poverty to make their homes more energy efficient through insulation and better heating

employing an officer to tackle anti-social behaviour including noise nuisance

recruiting young people from the deprived wards to work as modern apprentices for Pendle Council

spear-heading anti-litter campaigns and the removal of fly tipping and graffiti

piloting a neighbourhood warden scheme in Bradley ward to restore public confidence and reduce burglary and vandalism.

Leader of Pendle Council, Coun Azhar Ali, said: "We are taking action to make a significant difference to people's lives in Pendle's most deprived communities.

"This is a three year scheme which will restore neighbourhood pride and narrow the gap between deprived and thriving communities."