A TOY library or a youth shelter were some of the ideas put forward for spending a cash windfall allocated to the Clayton-le-Moors and Altham area council.

The area council will gave £17,500 over the next year to spend on small projects aimed at benefiting residents, people were told during its first meeting at Clayton Civic Hall, Pickup Street.

Councillor Janet Storey was elected chairman with Coun Miles Parkinson vice-chairman of the area council.

The council is one of eight which are being set up throughout Hyndburn with the purpose of giving local people more of a say in their community. Coun Storey suggested investing part of the cash on a toy library while Coun Parkinson thought employing a part-time handyman to clean up and improve the area was the best way of spending the money.

Coun Susan Haworth suggested improving the woodland areas while Coun Tim O'Kane wanted to put railings around Mercer Park to make the area safer for children.

Altham parish Coun Rennie Pinder proposed putting up notice boards or creating a pavement from the Walton Arms to Altham CE Primary, Burnley Road, to improve the safety of children.

Residents of the area were encouraged to put forward their own ideas and they will be considered over the coming months.

Teenager Kelly Banks suggested investing some money in a dance troupe she belongs to while Steven Edwards, who is part of the Hyndburn Youth Council, wants a youth shelter in Mercer Park -- an idea backed by Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe.