RESIDENTS in the Fernhill area of Bury are being invited to shape the future of their community.

They will be asked to draw up and tackle a catalogue of problems and to help implement a package of proposed improvements in a deprived area of the town.

And the firm message to emerge from a special public meeting was that the residents must seize the opportunity themselves.

Around 40 residents attended the inaugural meeting of Fernhill Tenants' and Residents' Association.

The get-together, held at St Mark's House in Walmersley Road, was staged in conjunction with Bury Community Enterprise (BCE), which is bidding for £1 million of funding to transform the old Bury Co-op in Fernhill's Hornby Street into a new resource centre to improve the quality of life in the area.

And Ms Nicole Ivanoff, BCE secretary, has disclosed that the North British Housing Association is giving £1,500 towards the ambitious project.

During the meeting, residents were given a chance to comment on a number of issues which could be tackled in the future. These include cleaning up local streets, stopping vandalism and the need for more superivison of young offenders living in the area.

Ms Ivanoff said: "At the meeting, we identified two major problems. One is that many people, especially the elderly, are living in fear and will not go out of their homes after 6pm.

"Another is the fact there is a serious lack of facilities for children, aged six to 12, and also for those aged 16 to 20.

"There's a complete lack of play areas and that's something we must address."

One idea put forward was a proposal to press for an illegal tip in Vernon Street to be transformed into a children's play area.

She added: "The meeting allowed everyone to talk about the problems that exist in Fernhill."

Residents will be given the chance to put forward their own plans of action and to help see these through to completion.

Organisers were pleased at the initial response and hope residents will play an important role in developing and implementing ideas to improve the area.

A second meeting, to which all local people are invited, will take place at the same venue on July 7.

Meanwhile, the association will be launching a local newsletter which will be distributed to householders.

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