THE Lancashire Telegraph has launched several campaigns following calls for change in East Lancashire including December’s drive to ‘Save Our Services’ from NHS centralisation.

That campaign won promises from all three main political parties to listen to local opposition to a regional review which could see seven crucial specialisms being taken from the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General hospitals.

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Russ McLean, chairman of the Pennine Lancashire Patient Voices Group, said: “I think the Lancashire Telegraph does an amazing job informing the public, professionals and politicians about what is really going on.

“Its campaigning role is vital as the ‘Save Our Services’ campaign shows. Long may it continue to put pressure on those in power.”

Other campaigns include ‘Turn The Lights On’ following the death of Burnley-born Mark Burgess on the M65 motorway.

Drivers told us they believed they might have avoided the aftermath of the accident had there been lights on the carriageway.

Support for the campaign was shown by MPs, motorists and Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley coroner Michael Singleton.

The Lancashire Telegraph’s ‘Slower Speeds, Safer Children’ campaign has called for 20 mph limits to be placed on all residential streets in East Lancashire. In 2007 the paper launched its ‘Wasted Lives’ campaign for a tougher driving test regime and graduated licence scheme for young drivers after the death of 22-year-old Matthew Hannon in a speeding car on Blackburn’s streets.

The government is currently consulting on whether to introduce a final version of a proposed scheme which would meet most of the Lancashire Telegraph’s demands.

Ten years ago our ‘Keep Them Safe Campaign’ was the first to highlight the dangers of Asian gangs grooming vulnerable young women.

And the paper helped raise £125,000 for the East Lancashire Hospice’s roof appeal.

Jake Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, said: “The Lancashire Telegraph and its campaigning are vital parts of our democracy.”

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “Campaigns like ‘Turn the Lights On’ keep politicians on their toes.”

Lancashire Telegraph Editor Kevin Young said: “Local newspapers are part of the fabric of our communities, and it is important to recognise their importance as a source of information and as a spur to debate.

“At the Lancashire Telegraph we are passionate about campaigning on the issues that matter to our readers and holding those in power to account. I am proud of the paper’s role in these vital areas.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s new leader Mohammed Khan said: “The Lancashire Telegraph plays a vital role in informing the public and local democracy and holding politicians to account.”