WHEN it comes to planning local facilities for children, they always argue that they haven't been asked what they want.

This is not the case in Tonge Moor, however, and we hope that the result will be a better community future there.

The Entwistle Area Residents' Association has set up a Children's Forum in Tonge Moor to see how local youngsters view their community.

As part of this, they were asked to compile a photo album and information about areas where they play, and this resulted in useful facts and opinion.

Local councillors have already reacted to some of the children's findings, channelling funding into, for example, creating a football pitch where derelict garages once stood.

Realistic co-operation between local residents -- whatever their age -- and officialdom which holds the purse-strings is always the most sensible way forward.

Then, there is a sense of achievement all round, and a far better chance of keeping facilities at their best. It's called pride in the community and, for many areas, it has become a lost commodity.

Perhaps now the Tonge Moor experience can help mould the shape of things to come in many other local areas, and set us all back on the right track.