COUNCIL bosses came under fire at a neighbourhood meeting tonight.

About 60 people from south east Blackburn went to Blakewater College for the second of seven 'Neighbourhood Voices' forums, dealing with community issues across the borough.

Tempers flared when the group was asked to come up with lists of things that were wrong with their area. Drugs dealing, litter and a lack of facilities for young people were high on the agenda.

One man said: "I have been coming meetings like this for 10 years and nothing ever happens.Six months down the line it will still be a piece of paper in someone's office."

He added: "We need some of the suits in this room to stand up and say what they will do."

Blackburn with Darwen Council's director of culture, leisure and sport, Steve Rigby said: "I have never come to work with the intention of making things worse for residents. We are looking for a consensus on the big issues."

The meeting was for people living in Whitebirk, Highercroft, Audley, Shadsworth and Queens Park.

Neighbourhood Voices was launched last month following the pioneering 100 Voices project, which tackled cohesion issues.

The final forum takes place in Blackburn town centre in March.