COUNCIL bosses have defended installing bright orange bricks behind sandstone-built homes in Stacksteads as part of a regeneration project.

New rear walls are being built at a number of David Street, Farholme Lane and Holme Street as part of a Regenerate Pennine Lancashire scheme.

But unlike previous facelifting operations, which have seen traditional materials used, new bricks have been used instead.

Town hall officials say only front gardens have previously been remade with old stone.

Not enough stone could be reclaimed for the rear walls and using sandstone would have added up to eight weeks and £3,000 to the project costs.

Other works include an alleygate for the ginnel between Branch Street and the disused railway.