THE future's looking bright for residents in Hindley.

Extensive work to make street lights brighter across the Cashmore Drive Estate has just finished -- to the delight of residents.

Council chiefs sent questionnaires to 172 homes and nearly all of them said the work was a great improvement.

New street lights hold 36 Watt units and use a white light source to provide better quality power instead of the standard yellow 24 Watt bulbs.

Now many other areas could receive greater illumination if council chiefs decide to roll the scheme out to neighbouring areas.

Senior lighting engineer Mark Tilley said: "A good number of people have already asked for the same lighting elsewhere and others have commented on a feeling of improved security and safety.

"Obviously, if the scheme works in Hindley, it will work in other parts of the borough."

Around two thirds of residents surveyed before the scheme started said street lighting was poor. Under a third who were questioned said they were satisfied with the lights.

Now that figure has boosted to 85 per cent.

Mr Tilley added: "We are very pleased with these results which clearly show that what we did has made a big improvement for the people on that estate."