BAXENDEN residents are set to say a big thank-you to Councillor John Griffiths by naming their newest attraction after him.
Workmen have just put the finishing touches to a £90,000 multi-use games area next to The Hollins Technology College, a project Councillor Griffiths helped bring about.
To honour Councillor Griffiths, Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe suggested the park should be named after him.
But Councillor Griffiths himself said he was against the idea because the park was brought about by a team effort
The proposal will have to be discussed by Baxenden Area Council but so far it has got plenty of backing.
Maureen Westwell, of Hollins Lane, said: "I think it is a wonderful idea as John has done an awful lot in Baxenden over the years and this would recognise that.
"The area of land has always been known as the recreation ground so I think some people would be against it because it would change that, but others would be very much in favour."
She added: "John has also helped the area in other ways, by getting funding for things like new benches and street cleaning.
"I would be well in favour of it."
Baxenden ward councillor Jim Dickinson said: "John is a very good councillor and has contributed an awful lot to the area.
"He and I work very well together."
Speaking about the play area, Councillor Britcliffe said: "What a wonderful facility it is for Baxenden.
"It is because of John Griffiths that it has happened. We should call it the John Griffths playing facility."
Councillor Griffiths said: "I do not think it is a good idea because the project was a team effort.
"There was a lot of hard work put in by Baxenden Youth Action Group, which had a team of 15 people, most of them teenagers, putting their ideas forward.
"I did chase up the funding but it is the action group that deserves the credit."
