RESIDENTS of Horwich, Blackrod, Westhoughton and Hulton Park turned out in force last night for the first ever community forum meeting held in the area.

The forums -- a new concept for Bolton's local government -- aim to make councillors more accessible to the electorate and give people the chance to influence the way council cash is spent.

Up to 30 people attended last night's meeting when residents from the area wanting to speak to a specific representative from Bolton Council were able to call in at a 45 minute drop-in centre before the official meeting, which was held at St Joseph's School in Chorley New Road.

Plans are now being considered to set-up a creche and to move the meetings, which will be held every eight weeks, throughout venues across the whole area. Several community representatives voiced concerns that the forum would undermine the long-established town councils of Horwich, Blackrod and Westhoughton.

But ward councillors, including Michael Kilcoyne, said he hoped the town councils would work in harmony with the forum.

Representatives from both the police and health authorities will be invited to attend future forum meetings.

The next meeting will be held at the Daisy Hill community centre in Westhoughton on September 19, starting at 7pm for the drop-in session and 7.45pm for the official meeting.