THE Green Party want Home Rule for Leigh.

They has called for the Secretary of State to declare Leigh 'independent' of Wigan - and establish its own Parish Council.

A packed public meeting cast a unanimous vote calling on the Government to give Leigh a say in its own affairs.

Jim Standish, Chairman of the Residents Against Xanadu Group, told supporters: "The people of Leigh have for far too long played second fiddle to Wigan.

"It is time for Leigh to have some control over its own affairs, and a parish council would give us that very opportunity - an opportunity I hope will spread out throughout the whole parish and not just those opposed to the Xanadu project."

The Green Party's Chris Maile declared: "This initiative will unite the whole of leigh in a common cause, a cause that will transcend every campaign in the town, while neither supporting nor rejecting any one issue.

"All will see the benefit that will be gained. Only Wigan MBC will be the losers, as some of its power is lost to the new Parish Council."

A petition is being formally drawn up this week, followed by a public meeting on December 4 (7.15pm) in the Council Chamber at Leigh Town Hall to launch the multi-group campaign.

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