HERITAGE bosses are being urged to do more to protect the buildings and industrial heritage of Leigh and neighbouring towns.

Figures show that, to date, Leigh has received two grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund worth a total of £149,050 -- one of the lowest received by any constituency.

Now, after prompting by Leigh MP Andy Burnham, Heritage Lottery Fund chiefs have agreed to help set up a meeting to stimulate discussion on what projects people and local groups would like to see benefit from Lottery funding.

Projects that could be supported include the restoration of the Leigh Parish Church tower and improvements to canalside buildings, towpaths and parks.

However, Mr Burnham would like to hear from anybody who has ideas about priorities for heritage funding for Leigh.

He said: "Leigh has some outstanding buildings that have an important place in the country's heritage, particularly its industrial history. But many need investment now if they are to be preserved for future generations.

"I welcome the commitment given by Heritage Lottery bosses to do more to get funding to places like Leigh. I intend to hold them to it and will certainly be taking up the offer of a meeting in the borough.

"I would like to hear from people with strong ideas about what our priorities should be."