A PARISH council is celebrating the culmination of over two years work of looking at the future for its community.

Tiverton and Tilstone Fearnall Parish Council has published a Parish Plan and organised an event at the Village Hall to celebrate the hard work that has gone in to the project.

Over 50 residents turned up to the event which included wine and a buffet.

A Parish Plan is a statement of how a community sees itself developing in the future.

The aim is to reflect the views and opinions of the community and to set out an action plan of short and long term targets that the community will endeavour to undertake over the next five years.

The process began in January 2003 when a working group reported to the Parish Council. Local people were then invited to give their views for the area.

The main issues included speeding traffic, an inadequate transport system and the increasing cost of local housing.

The plan includes an action to lobby for the re-opening of Beeston station. Smaller issues raised include a ladder out of Beeston Iron Lock, restriction of parking in Tiverton and introducing broadband internet access to the villages.

Steve Armitage, chairman of Tiverton Village Hall, said: 'The easy part was the months of consultation work which has resulted in a comprehensive action plan for the parish that we can all be proud of. However we don't achieve much if it is gently archived after our celebration, along with other good intentions. So the real work lies in getting the actions rolling forward to deliver positive change for our community.'

The Parish Plan was made possible thanks to a grant from the Countryside Agency and the Parish Council and all residents have been sent a copy.

jo.henwood@cheshirenews.co.uk