Special 'cable trays' across pavements in Blackburn, Darwen and East Lancashire's terraced streets could help residents charge electric vehicle outside their homes.

The proposal was discussed as senior councillors debated plans to spend millions of pounds of government grants on new public charge points.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive board on Thursday night endorsed a county-wide strategy to improve provision.

It would create another 825 public EV charge points in the two towns by 2030 compared to just 46 now.

The Lancashire County Council area - which includes Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale - is expected to see the installation of another 6,661.

During the debate, the council's Conservative group leader Councillor John Slater highlighted a section of the 'Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy' on pavement cable channels as an a 'really good idea' that was worth the borough following up.

It said: "Pavement cable channels can offer a solution for drivers who do not have access to off-street parking, but still wish to use a charging cable connected to their home.

"Lancashire County Council is conducting trials into the use of 'cable trays'.

"The cable tray provides a housing that is installed directly into the pavement in which the charging cable can be inserted into and removed after use.

"It can provide a low cost and practical solution to safely pass an electric cable across the footway and allows the resident to charge their vehicle from their domestic supply whilst it is parked on the highway, providing them access to cheaper domestic electricity rates.

"Two in-pavement solutions are being trialled, as 27.8 per cent of households in Lancashire require on-street charging provision."

After the meeting Cllr Slater said: "I really like this idea.

"There are many terraced houses in the borough where people would want to buy electric vehicles if they could charge them outside their home.

"This would allow them to do that without having to stick cables through their windows. They would have to pay themselves and it would have to be carefully managed."

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Cllr Phil Riley said: "There is a real challenge with EV charging in streets of terraced housing.

"One option might be communal charge points. This is an idea with some merit and we shall be exploring it."