PUPILS from a Great Harwood school are helping to shape the future of their town by putting forward suggestions for regeneration.

Children from year six at St Wulstan's RC Primary School attended a public workshop in November held by Business Environments but asked for a private meeting for further discussion.

In the run-up to Christmas consultants from the Warrington-based company visited the Rushton Street school to hear what they had to say.

Andrew Thomson, planning director for Business Environments, said: "The main feedback was that they felt the town needed more for teenagers although they agreed it offered quite a bit for them already.

"They said that for other facilities though they had to travel out of the town and that their mum's had to go elsewhere for certain items of shopping.

"As well as discussing their views the children have also done some written work on the subject and this will all be incorporated into our study."

Business Environments were appointed by Lancashire County Council last October to work with the Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, the Accrington, Church and Great Harwood Partnership and the Great Harwood Area Council to identify regeneration opportunities in Great Harwood.

Residents and business people have also had the opportunity to suggest areas for improvement in the town and these suggestions have also been noted.

Ideas put forward for development in Great Harwood by pupils at the school included the addition of a cyber-cafe and more sports amenities.

Suggestions from older residents also referred to improved recreational facilities in addition to extended shopping hours and the use of old buildings for new initiatives.

The £20,000 study, which will provide a blueprint for the town and was funded by the county council, is now in the final stages and is hoped to be completed in two weeks.