RESIDENTS have been promised to have their voices heard over future maintenance of Starmount Lodges.

Countryside bosses have organised a meeting of the Friends of Blackshaw Brook, to discuss plans for the valley area in which the reservoirs lie.

Among the topics that could come up for discussion are the planned siting of two shelter and storage cabins on the lodge car park.

The meeting follows concern among some residents that the land at Bradley Fold has been taken over by Radcliffe Anglers.

Mrs Chris Ryder, of Bradley Fold Cottages, attended a similar meeting last August and wants the lodges and surrounding areas to be maintained by the council.

She said that other users of the site are concerned about work on the site by anglers, and wants assurances that all points of view will be listened to.

Signs have been erected and in recent months anglers have built fishing pegs, removed vegetation and planted new trees and flowers.

Mrs Ryder said: "I don't have a problem with a lot of the work. What annoys me is nobody else seems to have their suggestions listened to seriously. So far we've had one meeting, where nothing seems to be decided and nobody makes any resolutions.

"The danger is that people will get fed up and it will be left to the fishermen, which is not right."

But countryside officer Graham Schoon said he hoped that the meeting would bring other parties forward.

Mr Schoon said: "The anglers are an existing group, and they have been quite active in maintenance and tidying up because they have quite a lot of retired members who have the time. However, we ask people to join the Friends group.

"We want people who have any interest in the site whatsoever and would urge them to come along and have their say."

The meeting takes place at Dobbies Sports and Social Club on April 16, at 2pm.