AN Atherton estate is playing a leading role in shaping the government's national strategy for neighbourhood renewal.

The Hag Fold Community Network, made up of a group of the Atherton estate residents, community representatives and council officers, have shared their experiences of residents' consultation with invited guests from around the country at a Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions' conference in Chester.

The team was invited on the strength of its recent British Urban Regeneration Association commendation.

Cllr Sue Loudon, chair of the SRB5 Atherton Building Communities Board, said: "The group's main priority is Hag Fold but if others can benefit from our experiences we are more than willing to share them."