DELIGHTED residents in Atherton have vowed that a massive government cash injection will bring genuine power to the people.

Nearly £6 million of Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) money has been awarded to Atherton and the Hag Fold Estate.

And that in turn could attract another £15 million from public and private agencies ove the next six years.

The cash will help create or dafeguard over over 670 jobs and benefit over 5,000 residents on the estate, plus 2,800 schoolchildren.

Following the Atherton announcement, the chairman of the Dorset Road Hag Fold Community Centre Sue Wilson said she was delighted.

She said: "This money can make a real difference and gives us the chance to change things for the better.

"The special thing about our bid is that it really does involve the people of the Hag Fold estate and give them the genuine opportunity to have their say on how the money is spent."

She added: "This estate has many good people, but there are also problems. If we tackle them now we can make a real difference.

"Many of us have been here for years. There used to be real pride in this estate. There isn't now, but with this SRB there can be again."

The key aims of the SRB project during the next six years will be:

to create new jobs and help local residents secure those jobs;

improving 1,200 council houses; tackling crime, health and learning problems;

improve neighbourhood co-ordination to bring decision making closer to the people and make service more relevant to local needs.

The SRB cash will help start-up 18 businesses and six Community Enterprise projects.

Pictured: Cllr Sue Loudon and Sue Wilson from Dorset Road Community Centre with Mike Shields, chief executive of NW Development Agency who made the announcement at Hag Fold. NON

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