CONFIDENT Communities will hold its inaugural meeting in Rossendale this week to give residents a say on a variety of issues.

The forum will allow people to voice concerns and ideas on what they would like to see happening in the community, to the council, police, the NHS, and other public bodies.

Confident Communities chairman John McManus said: "This is the chance for every voluntary, community and faith group and every individual to take part in the partnership's drive to change Rossendale for the better.

"Active community involvement is the cement which will bind the partnership.

"Our aim is not simply to improve consultation but to also make sure that people feel involved in improving Rossendale.

"Their voice must be heard and their ideas taken on board. We will work in positive partnership with the councils and others but we will be challenging them too."

Training programmes will to allow representatives of the group deal with professionals on an equal footing.

Dorothy Mitchell of Rossendale Hospice and Haslingden Community Link said: "Community groups need to be just as professional as anyone else and probably more innovative."

Confident Communities will meet at the Astoria, Rawtenstall, on Wednesday, at 7pm.