Most residents of Blackburn probably only ever know Bank Top as the area you pass through when you travel from the town centre towards Witton Park.

And I have to admit, it is often the only way I see the area.

Yesterday was different however, as I spent a few hours familiarising myself with the shops and services the area provides.

There are a few notable sites in Bank Top, one of which is St. Wilfrid's CE High School and Technology College.

Housed within the school grounds and also adjacent to the school is the St. Wilfrids' Community Leisure Centre.

There was a large group of children gathering at the front door, so I went over to have a nosey.

I spoke to the man at the reception desk who informed me that they run a play scheme during school holidays, and from what I saw, it is a well attended community service.

The school appears to have a major impact on the surrounding businesses, as I discovered after discussing the area with a local shopkeeper.

The general concensus is that Bank Top 'dies a death' when the school is closed, as it is at the moment for half term.

The shopkeeper, who didn't want to be identified, told me that there have been occasions when other business owners along Whalley Banks and Bank Top have closed up early during periods when the school is closed.

He also suggested that the shop choice could be improved by introducing some more popular branded outlets.

During my walkabout, I noticed that there are a considerable number of houses on Stansfeld Street which are boarded up.

According to the council's website, 2007-2008 is when they will "complete the buying of properties on the Stansfeld Street clearance area and to start the demolition programme".

Hopefully this will mean that the area will soon have a selection of improved housing developments, just what the local shopkeeper told me was needed.

At the other end of Stansfeld Street is the Stansfeld Centre which provides day care services for adults with special needs.

There is a Bank Top Community Centre which is located on Oakenhurst Road, close to Montague Health Centre. They provide a wide range of services for the local area but there are too many to list here!

Bank Top always seems to be a bustling district of Blackburn, and there is a wide selection of shops. However, the issue seems to be with the quality of the businesses and the clientele they attract.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the area? And how would you improve community facilities for residents?