LYDNEY is an 'irritating distraction' in the eyes of the Forest of Dean District Council, according to county councillor Alan Preest.

Speaking at Lydney Town Council's annual meeting, Mr Preest said the local authority had become blinkered by the regeneration of Cinderford.

He said: "Unfortunately, I still fee that the district council sees Lydney as an irritation that sometimes has the audacity to distract them from their Cinderford regeneration priorities - and our positives, that clearly outweigh any of the other Forest towns, are ignored."

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