TOP athlete Laura Finucane is flying the flag for a new scheme to get people to talk about what worries them.

The young middle-distance runner from Colne (pictured), who recently took part in a South African training camp run by Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes, is backing calls for young people to share concerns about anti-social behaviour and bullying - and they could win a DVD player.

Pendle Community Safety Partnership is appealing for everyone in the borough to step forward and tell them what can be done to make them feel safer.

And Laura says youngsters should be making their voice heard in a council survey.

The 18-year-old, who holds the British under-20s 400 metre record, said: "Young people are as worried about crime and social disorder as anyone else. We're also worried about anti-social behaviour and bullying.

"Young people should make sure they fill in this survey and make sure they are heard along with everyone else."

The community safety partnership, which involves Pendle Council, Lancashire County Council, police, firefighters, health bosses and local businesses, is working on a plan for tackling crime and disorder over the next three years.

Research by the organisation's citizens' panel has put speeding cars at the top of most people's list of concerns, followed by dog fouling, rubbish and young people hanging around and causing disturbances.

Now the group is asking people to fill in a questionnaire about their concerns. And anyone taking part will be entered into a free prize draw to win a DVD player or a safety survey for their home.

Pendle Council's executive member for neighbourhood and community safety, Coun Anne Kerrigan, said: "Finding out what Pendle people want, especially about crime and safety, is our priority.

"We want to improve people's quality of life and make our neighbourhoods and town centres safer for everyone who lives and works in Pendle and for visitors."

Anyone who wants to air their views should contact community safety manager Geoff Whitehead on 01282 661660 or fill in the online questionnaire at www.pendle. gov.uk before January 28.