THOUSANDS of residents answered the call.

The Your Call campaign is now in its third year and thousands of people have taken part.

From residents getting together to clean their streets, to good neighbours making sure elderly people on their street are safe and well, the ethos of Your Call can be found all across the borough.

Recently, a community group in Darwen has put together proposals, with the help of the council, for Square Meadow.

They want to turn a piece of disused land behind a former school into a community sports facility.

Elsewhere, users of Chester Street mosque hold regular clean-ups around the area.

These are just two examples of many, showing the community spirit that exists in the borough.

But it is not just residents the council is working with to find solutions to make Blackburn with Darwen better.

Businesses are also embracing the idea including taking part in a special young people’s speed networking event and getting together to make Small Business Saturday a big success.

One important aspect of the Your Call campaign is for the council to continue to listen to residents about their priorities and their ideas to make their neighbourhoods better places.

In January, dozens of residents got the chance to air their views and issues at a pioneering forum organised by the leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Councillor Kate Hollern.

The event at King George’s Hall was an opportunity for residents from different walks of life to give their views or voice their concerns on issues which matter to them, their families and their communities.

A number of issues and topics were discussed including facilities for young people, how the council is getting investment in the borough and the good work residents are doing under Your Call.

Community togetherness, grit bins, children’s play areas and transport were also brought up in the open meeting where nothing was out of bounds and the agenda was set by residents.

The forum is one of many opportunities for residents to give their views and bring up issues.