BACON and eggs are not the traditional tools used to improve a housing estate run down by petty crime and unemployment.

But they can certainly help, as Sarah Warden found out...

ANYWHERE that serves a full fry-up for £1.20 is bound to be popular, but at the Roman Road Community Centre, in Newfield Drive, Blackburn, diners get much more than just good food.

A Big Breakfast morning has been held at the centre every Thursday for the last three years and attracts more than 100 residents each week, from young children to pensioners.

While they catch up on the latest gossip, they can also seek advice or raise issues with councillors, housing officers, debt advisors, community workers and a range of other service providers.

While community centre staff are busy in the kitchen, residents who might not normally access services by phone can serve up their concerns to visiting officials such as nuisance neighbour officers across the informal setting of a dining table.

In the past the area has suffered through high unemployment and petty crime, but since the demolition of more than 100 houses in 1999 problems have diminished.

The Big Breakfast was the brainchild of part-time worker Stella Richardson.

With input and ideas from other staff and volunteers the event snowballed to become the meeting place it is today and an array of agencies was invited to attend.

Stella said: "It's nice for us all to meet members of the community and it gives you a good basis because then when you walk down the road you know people to say 'Hello' to.

"This event started out with just ten or so people but it's just grown and grown and now it gets packed and we can be rushed off our feet. It really brings the community together."

Community Association chairman Kevin Dunne, who usually pops in for a coffee and a chat, said: "A lot of people won't bother to go to an office or get in touch with a housing officer, but if when the officers come here for a brew there are people queueing up to talk to them.

"The councillors will drop in and end up staying for hours because people want to talk to them. Most people use this community centre and they learn more and have better ideas because its an informal setting."

As well as official information, people can also find out about other events in the community centre, which include pensioners and children's groups, sewing sessions and a popular and successful majorettes group.

Councillor Dorothy Walsh, who goes to the breakfast every week, said: "When I became a councillor up here in 2001 I didn't know anything about what went on here and the way they have brought me in is amazing. It's a wonderful community. There have been big problems here and they are quietly sorting it out."

Twin Valley Homes chief executive Phil Richards said: "We pride ourselves on good communications and although there are formal channels. such as tenants' groups the Big Breakfast is a great way for us to chat informally.