DISILLUSIONED residents in Farnworth and Kearsley want to break away from Bolton and govern themselves.

A group calling itself Farnworth and Kearsley First, intends to launch a new political party within the next six months to stand up for the interests of the area.

The meeting will be held at Trinity Church in Market Street, Farnworth, from 6.30pm tonight.

Paul Heslop, interim secretary of Farnworth and Kearsley First, said the feeling of being ‘shortchanged’ and ‘neglected’ was widespread among people living in the area.

He said: “Many people from Farnworth and Kearsley have lost faith in their elected officials and the mainstream political parties. The towns of Farnworth and Kearsley have been run down and neglected to the extent that Kearsley has now lost all identity as a town, and Farnworth is also now on the verge of complete annihilation.”

Mr Heslop also drew unfavourable comparisons between the investment in areas of central Bolton, such as Newport Street, and the money spent on Farnworth.

He added: “The result of the Bolton-centric approach of the ruling Labour group is seeing taxes raised in Farnworth and Kearsley being unfairly spent in other parts of the borough.Neither Farnworth or Kearsley has had substantial investment since the abolition of the municipal boroughs more than 40 years ago.”

But Farnworth Councillor Noel Spencer said Mr Heslop was wrong to lay the blame at the door of the council.

He said: “The main reasons for the cut backs in spending, especially in the north west towns and cities, is massive cuts from central government.

Cllr Spencer added he and his fellow Farnworth councillors were pushing developer St Modwen to begin the much-delayed revamp of the area around the old market.

He said “That involves a multi-million regeneration of Farnworth shopping area and we have put as much pressure on them as possible.”

Councillor Asif Ibrahim, who also represents the Farnworth ward confirmed he would be at the meeting to listen to residents concerns.

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