A BLACKPOOL residents' association is looking for help to build a new community centre -- and they've got The Citizen on their side.

St Heliers Residents' Association is aiming to raise £50,000 by organising an evening auction at the Tangerine nightclub, Bloomfield Road, Blackpool, on December 7.

The Citizen is now offering free on-line internet publicity to any voluntary organisation -- and that's exactly what we did for the folk of St Heliers Road.

CommuniGate is the name of this service which you can access via our website, www.thisislancashire.co.uk

You can then set up your own web page including text and pictures for people to visit. And you even get your own individual website address! Now the St Heliers group wants help to buy, renovate and run a community centre at an estimated cost of £50,000 plus £5,000 per year to run it.

"We need a centre right at the heart of the community," an association member explained. "It would be accessible to all ages and, because we will be refurbishing it, we have the chance to design the layout as well.

"It will be used for education and recreational purposes including creche, mother and toddler sessions, over 55s nights and youth club."

Grant Davis, chairman of the association, said they were now looking for people to donate items for the auction in December.

"We have been pledged a number items from individuals and businesses to auction or raffle on the night and would be extremely grateful if you have anything to offer."

Write to Grant at St Heliers Residents' Association, c/o 51 St Heliers Road, Blackpool, or telephone him on (01253) 341590.

Their web address is www.communigate.co.uk/lancs/blackpoolstheliersyouthandcommunity/

To get your own site on CommuniGate just click the links from our ww.thisislancashire.co.uk site or contact our CommuniGate administrator Richard Lewis by email on rlewis@newsquest.co.uk