A GROUP of dedicated volunteers is helping to plan a brighter future for Tyldesley and Astley...and literally thousands of residents can play their part.

Tyldesley Community Planning Group wants to know what people think of their local services, and will be delivering questionnaires to one in four of all the area's households over the next few weeks.

A group of volunteers from Astley and Tyldesley Rotary clubs and local residents' associations have agreed to carry out the work on behalf of the planning group.

People who are chosen will be asked to share their opinions on such things as local health and education facilities, priorities for crime prevention and what they think about the town centre. There's also a chance to identify what facilities are missing from the area.

The information provided will be shared with the Tyldesley-Astley Township Forum who are working with the police, Wigan Council and other service providers to develop an action plan for the township area.

Evelyne Smith, a member of Shakerley Community Partnership and chair of the planning group said: "We welcome the chance to work with the Township Forum in this way. This is a valuable opportunity to influence the future of the town and we hope that people will respond by filling in the questionnaire and letting us know what they think."

If you would like to know more about the work of the Township Forum and the Community Planning Group please contact the township staff on 01942 776158 or check out the township web pages on Wigan Council's website www.wiganmbc.gov.uk