A BLUEPRINT has been drawn up to revitalise Prestwich - but it has been criticised by one councillor as a waste of money.

Consultants employed by Bury Council have come up with ideas to tackle everything from parking to pelican crossings after canvassing local residents and businesses.

Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners were drafted in to look at the three town centres in the south of the borough - Prestwich, Whitefield and Radcliffe - which are seen to be losing out to Bury.

The company highlighted common threats and weaknesses to all three as well as strengths and opportunities.

But local councillor Vic D'Albert said the report "left a bitter taste in his throat".

"I welcome the report but my concern is the amount of time and money it has taken to write a report which the Business Forum and Prestwich Regeneration Partnership could have written five years ago," said the Lib Dem member for Holyrood.

"It sticks in my throat that we had to pay money to say what we already know. How long before we have action?"

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