ROSSENDALE Council is enlisting the help of local estate agents and borough residents to find out what makes people want to go there, and why people leave.

The information is being collected as part of a migration study to help the council to gain a better understanding of the housing market in the borough and plan for the future.

Estate agents are being asked to encourage their clients and potential customers to fill out a questionnaire whenever anyone comes to them to buy or sell a house in Rossendale.

Every questionnaire will be treated confidentially. The information requested only relates to the property and it is optional for people to include their names.

The information will be used to inform future council policy making, plan for future developments and help the authority to target its resources in future years.

This scheme will also be of potential benefit to local estate agents by providing them with access to a pooled source of information about housing trends in the borough.

Councillor Bill Challinor, Rossendale Council's deputy leader said: "This is a vitally important piece of work to help the council improve the quality of homes and communities in the Valley. I would encourage as many estate agents as possible to take part in promoting the scheme to people who are active in the housing market.

"I want the council to have a better understanding of local housing issues so that we make the right choices in the future about how our precious resources should be used."

The questionnaire is on the council's website at www.rossendale.gov.uk and paper copies will be provided to estate agents for people who do not have internet access.

Residents can also get paper copies of the questionnaire by phoning Gary Parsons on 01706 222502.