'SPACE age' solutions to crime and disorder problems are being proposed by Burnley Road Action Group (BRAG) in Rawtenstall.

The group developed a garden project for elderly residents and a playground project for young children, but then realised it needed something in between to make sure all the hard work and public money was not wasted by problems with vandalism.

The Creating Space project will have various space 'capsules' or themes with an initial focus on quiet space, fun space, activity space, safe space and clean space.

As the project progresses more themes such as green space, car space and shared space.

Judith Lord, chairman of the BRAG project panel, said: "This is a joined-up thinking approach where we aim to develop our themes in bite-sized chunks in tandem rather than one project at a time.

"We will work on all our themes stage by stage to ensure something for everyone.

"We cannot expect young people to respect quiet space and clean space if they have no space of their own.

"We hope to create activity space at Sunnyside recreation ground but we are also looking for space on the west side of Burnley Road because this is a busy road for children to cross."

Plans for the project include an idea for sponsored rubbish collection to encourage children not to litter the streets.

BRAG hope to get members of the community to sponsor full bags of this type of litter and will be talking to the local schools to see if they can help.

Cribden Coun Hugh McCaw said: " I believe this is an innovative and positive response from BRAG to meeting what the community has identified as areas of priority in order to improve their local environment.

"We should be supporting local groups who volunteer their time in such a positive way, by encouraging a partnership approach, to providing solutions to local problems."