EXCLUSIVE: HYNDBURN is set to be abolished to make way for a new and more familiar name to help rid the borough of its "veil of anonymity".

The council's ruling Tories plan to re-name the borough Accrington and District in a bid to give residents an improved sense of identity.

Leader Peter Britcliffe said: "We have been trying to sell a dead donkey for 33 years but still nobody has a clue where Hyndburn is.

"This is the first day of the rest of this area's life."

The plan will also promote the identities of the neighbouring townships which will all get their own coats of arms and boundary signs.

And Councillor Britcliffe said the move would have minimal cost implications.

Hyndburn has been in existence since 1974 when Accrington merged with Rishton, Great Harwood, Church, Clayton-le-Moors and Oswaldtwistle under a big local government shake-up.

But revealing the plan exclusively to the Observer, Councillor Britcliffe said: "Attitudes have changed since then. Hyndburn was a fudge anyway, named after a dirty river full of chemicals running through the centre of Accrington.

"Wherever anybody goes, if they say they come from Hyndburn, nobody has a clue where it is.

"Accrington on the other hand has a strong identity with Stanley and the Pals.

"We are currently going through a massive regeneration of the borough so this is a new start for us all. We are transforming Accrington and its districts and it's certainly becoming a better place in which all of us can live.

"People are very proud of their districts and this will put our individual townships back on the map."

The sum of £20,000 for new road signs has already been set aside in the council's budget.

Stationery letterheads can be easily redesigned on a computer and council vehicles will be replaced with ones bearing the new name and logo as they naturally go out of service.

But organisations such as Hyndburn Homes and Hyndburn Sports Centre, as well as a number of private firms which have adopted the name Hyndburn, would have to decide whether to follow suit.

The council has now launched a major consultation period and council representatives will be attending all area council meetings to discuss the plan. Bodies such as the police will also be consulted.

If the suggestion receives majority backing, the name changeover could be completed by the end of the year.

Councillor Britcliffe concluded: "I think people will generally approve of the plans and love the new crests. When they go on holiday they will be proud to tell people where they are from."

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