CAMPAIGNERS backing a Bill to save local shops, post offices and services say they are angry after Ruth Kelly declined their invitation to a public meeting.

Local Works - a coalition of 25 national organisations supporting the Sustainable Communities Bill - challenged the Bolton West MP to meet campaigners in her constituency at a meeting at the Reebok Stadium tomorrow at 7.30pm .

It was the third time they had asked Ms Kelly, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to attend a meeting.

They first proposed nine dates in October and November, then offered her a meeting at any time in January, February or March, before making their final "take it or leave it" offer.

Susan Williams, Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate, will be at the meeting along with Bolton Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Barbara Ronson.

The private member's bill has been backed by about 400 MPs from all parties and aims to tackle what campaigners see as the growing problem of "Ghost Town Britain".

The Bill wants residents to be allowed to decide how their communities are developed and conserved, instead of central government.

A spokeswoman for Ms Kelly said she could not make the meeting.

She said: "She would have enjoyed debating the issues and it would have allowed her to talk about policies the Government is bringing forward to promote sustainable communities, as well as listen to the views of others.

"Pressures on her diary means she cannot attend."

Ms Kelly has previously said that while the Government supports the aspirations of the Bill, it believes its own Local Government White Paper goes further in devolving power to councils and communities.

She has also voiced concern that the Bill is "overly bureaucratic and complex".

Ron Bailey, Local Works national organiser, said: "We have had more than 70 public meetings for this campaign to engage people in their communities with the Bill.

"Many have been with local Labour, Conservative and Lib Dem MPs. Ruth Kelly is the only MP to have refused to attend a public meeting in her constituency. Yet she is the government minister for communities.

"For six months we chased her. Only when we had finally set a date for March 30 and booked other speakers did Ms Kelly contact us and say she may be able to do March 29 but with no guarantees - this is a joke.

"We are going ahead with our meeting. The invite to Ruth Kelly remains open."