RESIDENTS on a crime-ridden estate are looking to the past for inspiration in creating a brighter future for the community. The public-spirited locals, who live on the Moss Side district of Leyland, have come together to form The Eye and the Egg community group in a bid to make the district a better place to live.

And, although the name of the group is slightly unusual, their aim couldn't be simpler, as chairman Myra Gamgoum explained to residents at a public meeting held last Friday.

She said: "We are fed up with people criticising the area and also disappointed with the lack of effort made to improve the area.

"This is an area which has never had a sense of community spirit, and if we can establish a sense of belonging then we will have taken a huge step towards making Moss Side a nicer place to live."

The Eye and the Egg group - so called because the eye represents the vision and the egg the product - plans to launch a food co-op to help struggling residents buy healthy food, and then launch a youth drop in centre.

Myra, who lives on Robin Hey, added that the group was looking to the great strides made by a similar organisation on crime-ravaged Clayton Brook.

She said: "Hundreds of people now use their food co-op and the area is much better for their hard work.

"We want to prove that the people of Moss Side can work together to make the area better and that we can put this estate on the map as a way forward for other districts.

"Our first fun day raised more than £200 which proves the support is there to get something done."

The group is still looking for donations. To help, contact Myra Gamgoum at 112 Robin Hey, Moss Side, Leyland.

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