SUCCESS on the football pitch, a smooth Brexit and improved infrastructure are among the New Year’s wishes from dignitaries, sports stars and celebrities.

High on the wish list of MPs in 2018 are improved transport links for East Lancashire and positive developments for the Northern Powerhouse.

Stars in the sporting world of East Lancashire are also hoping the New Year will bring success to their respective teams.

Blackburn MP Kate Hollern said: “It has been an eventful six months or so since the General Election.

“The NHS and social care system are still chronically underfunded and staffed, and there are no plans to address the clear shortages both systems face.

“Local government and policing are also desperately underfunded, with the shortages now falling onto local authorities.

“Looking forward to 2018, the Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn will continue to challenge this harmful and unfit Tory Government, and will continue to prepare for Government, where Labour if elected will change the country for the many, not the few.”

Burnley MP Julie Cooper said: “I am forever the optimist but this year it has not always been easy to maintain a positive demeanour.

“However, in 2018 I will renew my efforts on behalf of Burnley and Padiham. This is an important time, not just for our town but for our country.

“In the New Year my priorities will be, to achieve a smooth and painless Brexit, to ensure that our public services are properly supported, and that everyone has the chance to share in our successes.

“Finally to continue my role in the shadow health team working to achieve an NHS and social care service that is properly funded and staffed.”

Other MPs looked towards improving infrastructure over the next 12 months.

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said: “As always I hope that next year will be better than the last.

“Politically I hope we can continue to press the case on infrastructure.

“This can work towards creating new jobs and better transport links to around the country.”

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “I think there’s been lots of good work started in 2017 and I’m looking forward to it continuing in 2018.

“We’ve got £50million development at Rolls Royce in Barnoldswick which should be completed.

“I’m looking forward to April and May, with parts of the £32million development of Brierfield Mills opening, including the new leisure facilities.

“I’m also looking forward to the potential transport and Northern Powerhouse developments.

“Hopefully the railway line from Colne to Skipton can be reinstated, which is something I’ve campaigned heavily for.”

Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry said: “I hope that Lancashire is the beating heart of a Northern Powerhouse, this can help building a better Britain.

“I hope to see the regeneration of Darwen town centre which I think has been long overdue, and we can see the market redeveloped and restored.

“I look forward to seeing the regeneration continue in Rawtenstall and in the centre of Bacup.

“I hope next year will be a good one for everyone in Rossendale and Darwen.”

Sporting stars are also hoping to build on promising signs in 2018.

Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray said: “We want to align with the fans so we’re as one trying to win football matches, and the team on the pitch and off it together try and achieve our one aim this year which is to get out of this division.

“I look to the future very positively.

“I think there’s an opportunity for our club to push forward from this point on, build some momentum.

“I think it’s an opportunity we have to grasp if we can.”

Andy Holt, chairman of Accrington Stanley, said: “My hopes are for health and well-being for everyone.

“We want to see the club do well next year on and off the pitch.

“We want to see the club secure promotion, that’s for sure, but it’s important to remember there are more important things in life.”

Accrington’s former England cricketer David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd said: “First I would like to see Stanley get promotion, that would be nice. It would be good to see Burnley get in the Champions League and Rovers get promotion as well.

“It would be great for the area for our three teams to be doing well.”

Rover midfielder Elliott Bennett said: “There’s no beating about the bush, Blackburn Rovers need to get promoted from League One.

“That’s what we’re all striving to do and is our sole aim and we’ve said it from the start of the season.

“That’s the only aim (for 2018).

“When you play for Blackburn Rovers you have to win more games than you don’t and if we can do that this season we’ll be fine.”

Former world superbike champion Carl ‘Foggy’ Fogarty said: ”I’m just hoping for the usual really, just that everyone stays fit and healthy.

“I’ve got a new book coming out for the first time in about 10-15 years, so I’m looking forward to that, that will be a big thing for me, it’s going to be called The World According to Foggy.

“I’m going to be busy for the first few months helping with some new bikes that are coming out as well.”

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: “There’s been a number of people like

my friend Lindsay Hoyle who have gone through turmoil and trauma this year.

“Next year what I really hope for is those who have suffered this year to have a much, much better year in 2018 hopefully.

“We’ve been thinking of them through their lows this year.

“This year has been tough for a lot of people so I’m wishing that they in particular have a great 2018.”

Hyndburn Council Leader Cllr Miles Parkinson said: “I wish all the best for all the residents in Hyndburn.

“In Lancashire I hope we can come together to get the best for the Northern Powerhouse and to connect to urban areas.”

“I want us to get the infrastructure to link with Manchester and Yorkshire.

“It is all about and getting the jobs and links to get the best for everyone, especially the residents.”

Burnley Council leader Cllr Mark Townsend said: “The UCLan complex is expanding, with the university seeing Burnley as a centre of enterprise and aspiration.

“It will mean more students coming to the town which, in turn, boosts Burnley’s reputation and means extra income for local businesses.

“Next door to UCLan/Burnley College campus the Vision Park, providing starter units for budding businesses and entrepreneurs, is almost completed, and slightly further afield, the refurbishment of the town centre has finished, and bright, clean and modern it looks too.

“I’d like to thank shoppers and businesses alike for their patience while the work went ahead.

This is just a taste of what 2018 will bring us.

“We will continue to face the same challenges, particularly around shrinking resources, but we will face any challenges with confidence for a brighter future.”