THORNTON and Poulton residents were keen to talk about the future of their towns at public meetings this week.

Wyre MP Hilton Dawson arranged a meeting in each location - and was bowled over by the response with 150 turning up in Poulton and 75 in Thornton.

"They were both excellent and rich in ideas for the future," said Mr Dawson. "The fact that so many turned up shows the considerable level of concern. Thornton and Poulton are excellent places but much needs to be done."

Among top issues in Thornton was the rejuvenation of the shopping centre, he said. "They feel it's a very attractive place that has become run down in recent years - they're very concerned about the quality of the shops and the street scene, including pavements, crossings, road safety and traffic speed."

The recent allocation of EC Objective 2 money for Thornton's Staina ward could help revive the town, he said, particularly if the derelict railway line and station were restored. Both Thornton and Poulton residents were very concerned about juvenile nuisance, vandalism and the level of policing - indeed one group of young people at the Thornton meeting actually said troublemakers were attracted there by the low-level of policing, said Mr Dawson.

"I would be in favour of CCTV cameras to deter town centre crime," said Mr Dawson, "and I'd also support the use of private security patrols in conjunction with the police."

Poulton's prime concerns were traffic and the shopping centre. "People feel the level of congestion and the way the roads cut through it takes a lot away from the town centre and causes traffic dangers for pedestrians, cyclists and particularly older people.

"The local transport plan is currently out for consultation and I shall be asking Lancashire County Council to take a close look at Poulton's problems."

Poulton people also wanted an improvement in its shopping range, though not an out-of-town supermarket.

New housing schemes were bugbears in both towns - residents were in full support of Mr Dawson's plea for new estates to be concentrated in existing conurbations like Manchester, Preston or Blackpool, rather than farmland round their towns.

Mr Dawson is now consulting council leaders and police to propose practical steps to be presented at a future public meeting.

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