AN action group has been formed to campaign for a better deal for Thornton where a shopping precinct has been described as "looking like Liverpool's Toxteth".

The Thornton Action Group came into being after a public meeting called by local MP Hilton Dawson regarding the future of Thornton.

At the meeting the MP for Lancaster and Wyre voiced his concern that there was no overall vision for Thornton and called for more involvement of local people in decisions that affect the area.

The group will voice the concerns of local residents regarding such issues as the building of new housing estates and the decline of the shopping precinct.

Secretary for the group and Thornton resident James Stansfield explained what he and the group believed to be the problems in the area.

"The future of the shopping precinct is very uncertain and there are shops all boarded up -- it really is an eyesore and looks just like Toxteth at the moment!

"We also have problems with gangs of youths congregating and drinking by the centre. It is basically declining in every sense of the word.

"Also there are too many houses that have been built in and around the centre and we don't have the infrastructure to support this influx in population -- Thornton simply hasn't got the schools, roads or transport to deal with this."

Asked what he perceived as the way forward, Mr Stansfield said: "No more houses or housing schemes should be built in the area and we need to have more contact with Wyre Borough Council in the future. Also we need to encourage more people to come along to the meetings and support what we are doing."

Ward Councillor Jim Lawrenson who attended the meeting said: "I expressed my concern about the amount of house building going on around Thornton, particularly house building that is going on outside the local plan.

"I have nothing against them forming this group as long as they present well-researched information to back up their concerns."

Hilton Dawson said: "I am very pleased that the group has formed. It is a good start for Thornton as there are a lot of issues that need to be voiced about the area."

Resident Philip Morrison, of Elm Wood Drive, similarly backed the group and said: "I am with the action group every step of the way and hope this will make more people speak out about Thornton. It is very much a family-orientated area and no one would like to see the centre go into any further decline than it already has."

Wyre Borough Council chief executive Michael Brown,asked if there was anything currently in the pipeline for Thornton's shopping precinct, replied: "There has been no application for this site at the present and Wyre Borough Council is monitoring the situation carefully."