VOLUNTARY and community groups in East Lancashire have been invited to a special meeting aimed at improving road safety.

The Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety is aiming to achieve the national road casualty reduction target by 2005. This would result in 40 lives being saved and a reduction of 580 in the number of people receiving serious road injuries.

The meeting takes place in committee room one in Blackburn Town Hall on Thursday March 7 at 7pm, and will raise awareness of three key issues: reducing speed, reducing drink driving and increasing the wearing of seat belts. Grants will be available to groups wishing to assist the partnership. They are also keen to hear views about its plans for road safety. Twenty per cent of the mobile speed camera activity will be deployed in response to concerns. Anyone wanting more information should contact 01254 583957.