THE people of Oswaldtwistle are being encouraged to attend Hyndburn's first area council meeting tonight.

The historic meeting - part of a massive shake-up of local government in the borough - will see power devolved to the community. Residents will be co-opted on to the area council and there will be an open forum at which members of the public can question councillors about issues that affect them.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "This is a watershed for democracy here in Hyndburn. This area council will put power firmly in the hands of local people and give them a direct say in how their community is governed."

The meeting takes place at Oswaldtwistle Town Hall, Union Road, and starts at 7pm.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.