BLACKBURN MP Kate Hollern has pledged to press the government to protect parks across East Lancashire and the UK after being presented with a petition signed by more than 300,000 people.

She was given a copy of the document by the chairman of the Friends of Roe Lee Park Jason Walker at recent event at the much-used green space.

The Petition said: “Public parks are more than just nice places to sit, walk or exercise.

“They make a vital contribution to community cohesion, physical and mental health, biodiversity and climate change mitigation.

“We think public parks and green spaces should be protected for future generations."

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Mrs Hollern said: “Our parks are the lungs of our towns.

“They provide safe spaces for children to enjoy their surroundings and they are assets to mental and physical health.

“My Blackburn constituency has many beautiful parks and the local council recognises their value.

“I absolutely support greater protections for our parks and I want to see the government support local authorities by allowing them more resources to invest in these vital community assets.”

Cllr Phil Riley, deputy leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and a supporter of the 38 Degrees campaign which raised the petition, said “ We really appreciate the work this campaign is putting into highlighting this crisis for public open spaces in our towns and cities.

“Hopefully, this petition will help to focus the government’s attention on the damage that is being done to the urban fabric and the negative consequences for future generations. “

A recent inquiry by the Communities and Local Government Committee into the state of the UK’s parks concluded that they were reaching a tipping point and not getting the investment they need.