DARWEN people are being asked to make a wish for the future of their town.

Regeneration consultancy BE Group from Warrington has been appointed by the Darwen Town Centre Partnership to carry out a health-check for Darwen and its surrounding communities.

As part of this process, the consultants will hold a stand on the Darwen Gala field on August 21 to try to consult as many residents as possible - and there will be an opportunity for people to come up with actions to be included on a 'Wish Tree.'

The health-check covers all areas including transport, education and crime.

An action plan will be drawn up with a list of priorities for improving services in the town and will be passed to the Darwen Town Centre Partnership, which will take the project forward.

Funding of £15,000 for the creation of the action plan has come from a Darwen Town Centre Partnership bid to the Lancashire Rural Recovery Action Programme run by Lancashire County Council. This was secured from the Countryside Agency and Northwest Development Agency.

A further £5,000 was provided by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Peter Crompton, who is leading the consultancy team, said: "Darwen, like other market towns in Lancashire, and indeed the rest of the country, faces many challenges. Where the Healthcheck Action Plan makes a difference is in its ability to draw together all the activities in the town and provide a focus for taking forward ideas and actions.

"The consultation at the gala day will provide an ideal opportunity for local people to contribute solutions to problems in their town. If you are unable to attend the Gala Day but wish to contribute to the Action Plan please contact me on 01925 830 007."

Andy Kay, chairman of Darwen Town Centre Partnership and executive member for regeneration at the council, said: "This work is a big step forward towards widening and developing the progress already made on the Town Centre Strategy to make sure all the local communities in the town and surrounding rural areas have a strong and vibrant centre for services which meets as many of people's needs as possible.

"Achieving Market Town Status will help to support Darwen's clear and strong identity and it's promotion to a wide audience including residents, shoppers, potential investors and visitors. "The beauty of Darwen's natural setting and its closeness to the surrounding countryside are advantages we should exploit fully."