A NEW group called Confident Communities will hold its inaugural meeting in Rossendale next week to give residents their say on a variety of issues.

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

John McManus, chairman of Confident Communities 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."

Training programmes will allow representatives of the group to 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."

The group meets at the Astoria, Rawtenstall, on Wednesday.