RESIDENTS are being urged to take part in a forum aimed at improving the areas they live in.

Volunteers, particularly those who are not part of local groups or organisations, are needed to participate in the next Neighbourhood Voices forum from the South East Blackburn area.

Neighbourhood Voices is an expansion of the pioneering 100 Voices.

The project consists of forums covering North West, North East, South West Blackburn, South East Blackburn, Blackburn town centre, Darwen and the surrounding rural areas such as Edgworth, Chapeltown and Belmont.

The forums are an opportunity to discuss key issues relating to cohesion, litter, traffic, jobs, housing, education, anti-social behaviour, health inequalities and crime.

The South East Blackburn forum will be held on January 15 between 5pm and 8pm.

Coun Colin Rigby, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The key objective of Neighbourhood Voices is to build collective joint action between communities, regardless of background, and create a shared sense of neighbourhoods, by developing understanding and adopting common priorities.

"This builds on and enhances our successful neighbourhoods work to date and recognises that regardless of our race or background, what binds us together is where we live or work."

Food will be provided. To book a place, contact the engagement team at New East Blackburn on 01254 503203.