THE owner of a Rishton home has successfully pleaded with local residents to change their minds and let him keep a controversial set of gates.

Paul Jackson, of The Turrets, Blackburn Road, recently became the owner of the property, originally owned by the famous local family the Claytons.

But, at a recent meeting of Rishton Area Council, residents voted for the removal of the Turrets' entrance gates, which were built without the necessary permission by a previous owner.

Council planning bosses had put the matter in the hands of the area council.

Mr Jackson appeared at the latest meeting of the area council and appealed to residents to change their mind.

He said: "The gates mean the Turrets are in keeping with everywhere else on Blackburn Road."

The meeting voted to allow Mr Jackson to keep the gates as they are.