THE Duke of Westminster - one of the country's richest men - is to visit one of Blackburn's most deprived wards.

He aims to see how companies in the Bank Top area are joining with local people to help regenerate it.

The Duke will meet community and civic representatives, children, and members of Blackburn Partnership Bank Top Employers' Forum at Wensley Fold Primary School on April 18.

The visit has been arranged by the partnership, which is focusing on the estate, working with Blackburn Council, voluntary bodies and local companies to improve conditions for residents.

Two years ago, the Duke visited Roman Road estate where the partnership runs a similar scheme.

He was impressed by the achievements of local people and the drop in crime rates.

Like the Roman Road scheme, the Bank Top initiative depends on the involvement of all sections of the community, working towards improving life for people living there. A project in the pipeline is a transformation of Wensley Fold school grounds, with new paths and raised beds, which will be ready in time for the visit.

Partnership chief executive Peter Robinson will roll up his sleeves to join members of the Employers' Forum doing work on the school grounds.

He said: "Forum members are paying for the project and giving their time. We have also had tremendous help from Groundwork."

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