A NEW town forum is aiming to rebuild a community by organising the first big carnival for over a decade.

Tyldesley businessman Michael Norris has set the ball rolling by setting up a Festival Shop linked to his Frank's Cafe premises in Elliott Street.

He hopes the new charity shop will raise the £10,000 needed to fund a fete in 2005.

Michael, who allowed the Tyldesley branch of the Salvation Army to run their charity shop at his premises for 16 years, has applied to the Charities Commission for charity status and hopes cash raised will also fund medals for sporting events.

He said: "The local forum is like Tyldesley UDC reformed and we want to bring some life back to the town.

"We last had a carnival 12 years ago, but since the last one all the major industry has gone and we have become a commuter town. Now we need to rebuild the community and we feel one of the best ways to get everyone, from school children to pensioners, involved is a carnival."

Michael, who has had the interest of the town at heart for many years, said the Salvation Army decided to pull out of the shop in December after paying a nominal rent for 16 years.

Their people in London said they wanted bigger premises where donations could be sorted, washed and ironed, so the town's festival committee decided to keep the popular shop running for the good of the town.

"The shop was run by a band of volunteers who were not members of the Salvation Army and they have decided to stay on. They are friendly, helpful staff and have done a great job over the years and we're really proud of them.

"Everyone is pulling together to get the charity off the ground and all contributions, including electrical goods which will be tried and tested before going on sale, will be welcome at the shop which is open from 9.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Saturday."