DO you have any ideas on how to improve your area? If so, Bury Council wants to hear.

A total of 6,000 residents picked at random will receive a questionnaire asking for ideas on how to improve five issues already identified as particular concerns, such as untidy streets, vandalism and traffic congestion.

The surveys, sent out by Bury Council's Area Initiatives, will also give residents the chance to comment on their own areas of worry and be in with the chance of winning £150 cash prize.

The questionnaire results will be used to produce Local Community Plans (LCPs) for the next three years.

The plans are developed by area boards and are designed to bring the 2001-2021 Community Strategy closer to the people.

The last set of LCPs, made in 2001, resulted in the introduction of Street Care Teams as well as Tenants' and Residents' Associations giving the public a voice about the services they want delivered in the community.

Councillor Siobhan Costello, executive member for community services, said: "This is an important consulation and I would urge anyone who receives one of these questionnaires to fill it in and give us their views.

"The original action plans launched three years ago have been regularly monitored at area board meetings and clearly resulted in the improved delivery of services."