ETHNIC minority groups in Hyndburn will have the chance to voice their opinions on council services in the town's first-ever Asian Community Survey.

This week, more than 1,000 surveys will be sent out to almost every Asian household in the borough, taken from the electoral register. Voters will be asked what they think about the services the council provides and how they might be improved.

Tariq Siddiqui, chairman of the Asian Community Forum in Accrington, said the idea would be of 'great benefit' to the Asian community.

"Obviously it is a very positive move because this type of feedback does help to improve services," said Mr Siddiqui.

"There are a lot of areas that need cleaning and some of the wards are very substandard. The housing in some areas is very bad and people need some assistance to improve this.

"This survey this will give people an opportunity to express what they think of the services they get from Hyndburn Borough Council, so I think this will be of great benefit."

Forms will be available in Urdu, Bengali as well as English and help is available in filling out the surveys at the Council Community Advice Centre on Eagle Street.

Council chiefs expect more than half the people to respond and the completed surveys should be returned by early March so that all constructive comments can be taken on board.

Chief executive of Hyndburn Borough Council Mike Chambers, said: "Finding out what the Asian community thinks of the services the council provides is essential because it helps us work out what we need to do to make them better.

"By telling us what they think, the Asian population of Hyndburn is able to have their say about the services which are of importance to them."

The survey comes as part of the council's Best Value initiative into race relations and as well as being distributed to each household, forms will be available from all council offices.

Also from centres in Accrington such as the Itefaq and Hamdard Centre on Fountain Street, the New Era Centre on Paradise Street and the Bangladeshi Welfare Association on Charter Street.