NEIGHBOUR disputes may not be something that anyone would voluntarily get involved in.

But a charity wants people to do just that -- in a bid to get a happy resolution between neighbours at war.

The Burnley charity 'Specialist Mediation in Lancashire East' (SMILE) is calling for volunteers from across East Lancashire, to become fully-trained mediators.

The group are setting-up a new office after receiving a grant from Blackburn With Darwen Council.

Volunteers will be given 40 hours training in conflict resolution and learn new skills of how to settle disputes by listening impartially to people's problems.

As well as settling neighbour disputes The charity also goes into schools to talk to children about conflict resolution and volunteers also work with groups and committees who are finding it hard to get work done because of internal wrangling.

Joan Ainsworth, a case worker and volunteer supervisor for the charity, finds the work for volunteers is very rewarding. She said: "It appeals to people who say they like working with people and want to help people. It appeals to that kind of person who really want to help, and it is very interesting."

SMILE was set-up in Burnley in 1999 and comes under the umbrella of national organisation SMILE UK.

Cases are referred to the group from the police, councils, the Citizen's Advice Bureau as well as self-referrals.

Volunteers, once they are trained, go to addresses in pairs. They have to learn the techniques of listening impartially and finding out how steps can be taken to resolve problems.

Volunteers for SMILE can call Joan on 01282 427100.