RESIDENTS of Nether Kellet are being urged to take part in an event that could have a major influence on how the village develops over the next ten years and beyond.

A 'visioning exercise' is taking place in the village hall tomorrow (Saturday) from 10.30am-2pm, and organisers are hoping plenty of villagers will support the event and put forward their ideas and suggestions on how their community should evolve.

The event has been organised by Community Futures, as part of its REAL project - Rural Evaluation and Action for Lancashire - which every parish in the county has been offered the opportunity to take part in.

At the visioning meeting, people will be asked to express what they like about the village, and ways in which it could be improved or enhanced.

As part of the process, officers from Community Futures will also be paying a visit to the village school and youth club to see what young people think needs to be done.

And over the next few days every house in the village will be sent a questionnaire, to ensure as many people as possible take part in the appraisal process.

All the information gathered will be analysed and fed into an action plan, or vision for the future of the village, setting out what people want to see happen by 2012.

Parish councillor Judith Bentham said it was an excellent opportunity for villagers to play their part in shaping the way Nether Kellet developed.

She added: "It is really important that lots of people come along.

The wider the representation we get, and the more views and ideas that are put forward, the better."

There will be a public debate at the visioning event starting at 11am but people can pop along at any time to submit written comments.