A SUMMIT is being held at Leigh Sports Village in the hope of kick starting house building in the borough.

Wigan Council has invited private developers, housing associations and other property firms to discuss the borough’s housing needs.

Only 400 houses are currently being built but a thousand are needed to meet demand.

Clr David Molyneux, deputy leader of Wigan Council, said: “If we don’t take steps now we could face a serious housing shortfall in the future.

“The council is doing all it can, given our constrained financial situation. But we’re looking for outside organisations and private companies to help us meet the borough’s needs.

“We want to set out at this summit exactly what the demand is and get a discussion going about how it can be met.”

The summit will be held on January 31 and is by invitation only.