NEIGHBOURHOOD forums do not have a particularly catchy ring, nor does the Government's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

They are, however, very important schemes, pertinent to local communities and involving large amounts of money which are already being put to good use. What they lack, however, is public participation.

Now, a drive is on to get more people involved in the borough's six area forums. And the individual forums are about to be boosted by an even bigger allocation involving sums from £60,000 to £162,000 each.

We would certainly urge more people to take an active part -- it is one of the few ways for them to make a real difference to their own areas.