A £2million project to improve Rossendale's sewer network is now underway.

The United Utilities scheme will clean up watercourses which run into the River Irwell by making the sewer network more efficient during very heavy rainfall.

Work, which started this week, includes better screening to help stop sewer debris flowing into waterways, and improvements to overflows which operate as a safety valve for the sewer network during storm conditions.

United Utilities project manager Harvey Bebbington said: "This scheme will be of huge benefit to the environment and will help improve water flowing through Whitewell, Langwood and Swinell Brooks, which are all tributaries of the River Irwell."

Work began this week at two sites on Burnley Road East, the B6238, where a single lane of the road was closed and temporary traffic lights put in operation near the Chapel Bridge, and outside Clough Bottom wastewater treatment works at Windy Bank.

A diversion was also set up at Bent Gate roundabout, in Manchester Road, Haslingden, at the junction of the A56 and the A680. Work on all three sites is expected to continue until after Christmas.

Work at another three sites will then begin in the new year, with more to follow when phase two of the project kicks in later in 2004.