RESIDENTS in Blackburn and Darwen will get the chance to have their say about their area in a series of new meetings.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is to hold regular Ward Solutions Meetings for residents to flag up issues in their area.

They will be chaired by ward councillors, who will be supported by neighbourhood council officers.

Coun Yusuf Jan-Virmani, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for neighbourhood and customer services, said: “We cannot solve every problem on its own. Everyone has a responsibility to make the community better.

“It needs residents, councillors, council officers and other public sector officials to think about them and come up with solutions.

"The meetings are not just places to raise a list of complaints against the council, although of course we will always take any concerns seriously.

“It’s more about seeing the best way issues can be resolved and who is best placed to solve them.”