A LOCAL authority's bid for millions of pounds to the government's Levelling Up Fund has taken a step forward.

Hyndburn Council is to apply for Whitehall cash in Round Two of the scheme aimed at boosting the economy of Northern towns.

It has now appointed a steering group and consultant to mastermind the bid for up to £20million of grants.

The process will be paid for by £150,000 from the borough's s £150,000 Economic Recovery Fund.

The group will review the council's Accrington Area Plan to produce a new strategic Town Centre Investment Plan to revitalise the town centre.

The strategy was endorsed by Hyndburn Council's Cabinet on Wednesday.

The authority's leader Cllr Miles Parkinson revealed that the new group would consist of himself, the chief executive of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce Miranda Barker, the dean of higher education for the Nelson and Colne College Group Amanda Melton, Hyndburn's MP Sara Britcliffe and the council's chief executive David Welsby.

He also revealed that Manchester-based Bradshaw Advisory will work the council to deliver two pieces of work for the bid.

Cllr Parkinson said: "The first piece of work will be to review the Accrington Area Plan adopted by the council back in 2012 and produce a new strategic Town Centre Investment Plan to update on the progress made and set out the future regeneration plans to revitalise the town centre over the next 10 to 15 years.

The second piece of work for the consultant will utilise their experience in submitting successful funding bids to identify which projects from the Town Centre Investment Plan are most suitable for inclusion within the council’s Round Two Levelling Up Fund submission.

"Whilst the Government has not yet released the date for Round Two submissions, it is thought it may well be announced during the Autumn budget statement if not sooner."