ONCE a year, Hyndburn Council invites residents to help shape the future of Accrington. The Town Centre Walk, now in its fifth year, sees locals and councillors tour the town centre, pointing out ways to make improvements.

BEN HEWES joined them. . .

"WE'VE done the walk, and done the talk, so let's see some action."

Retired Robert Kenyon, of Hatfield Road, Accrington, spoke for townsfolk after helping set the agenda for change in his town.

Residents were split into groups and toured the area last night with council officers, regeneration officials, councillors and note takers, who recorded the issues raised.

Afterwards, Mr Kenyon summed up people's feelings when he said: "It has been worthwhile if things change, and if it gets somewhere.

"I come on these because being an Accringtonian I am quite disgusted with the state of the town . People who come on these walks are doing it out of a sense of citizenship -- they don't want to see the town go down the drain."

This year, Broadway was very much on the agenda. The council recently announced plans for a redevelopment that could see a £250,000 spent on it.

But there were plenty of other issues. As well as the shopping centre, the walk took in key areas like the police station, the Arndale Centre, the cinema, and council HQ at Scaitcliffe House.

Roy Hartley, 62, of Queen's Road, Accrington, said: "I was particularly interested in the bus station and what is going to happen to Broadway."

Philip Drew, 40, of Nuttall Street, said: "This is the second walk I have been on, and I found it useful. People are taking notes so if people raise points the council will be aware of what different people's views are."

The walk was also a chance for the council to show off the impact of projects carried out around the town following on from issues raised in previous years.

Walkers were shown the new Hyndburn Voluntary and Resource Centre -- the recently restored St James's School, Canon Street -- the fountain project outside Scaitcliffe House and the cinema.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "Too often, people just don't see what is going on. I am very proud of the fact that despite all the out of town developments that are going on, and the Trafford Centre taking trade from us, Accrington has managed to retain a substantial amount of trade."

Findings of the walk will be reported to the Town Centre Regeneration Board, on November 4.