REDUCING bus fares and providing youngsters with more out-of-school activites were among the top ideas on a wish-list drawn up by Darwen residents.

The chance to spell out what is wanted came during a consultation exercise at the town's gala on Saturday. Residents were invited to attach small green leaves with hand-written messages to a 'wish tree'.

The messages included:

More support for elderly people.

Reducing bus fares to encourage more people to use public transport.

More schemes to clean up dog waste.

More stores rather than just fast-food places.

A free skatepark and other activities for young people.

More concerts and calls for something to be done with the former technical college building.

Proposals for a Darwen Academy, which are still at the early planning stages, were rejected by some. The scheme could see current higher education being replaced by a centre offering state-of-the art facilities and specialist subjects, providing a post-16 education not currently available in Darwen. No site has yet been chosen but some believe it could be located on the Redearth Street clearance area, which has led to opposition, and that it would be too big and less personal for students.

Regeneration consultants BE Group, of Warrington, were appointed by Darwen Town Centre Partnership to carry out the survey for Darwen and surrounding communities.

Amy Shepherd, of the group, said: "People were keen to see change happen in Darwen and we are acting as the glue for the town centre partnership, sticking everything together and providing some positive, quick projects so that people can see the changes happening.

"We will put all the actions that we feel are practical and feasible into the regeneration plan."

An action plan based on people's comments and answers to questionnaires at the gala will be presented to the partnership by the end of September.