VERY rarely do we see democracy in action in the eastern side of the borough.

Atherton and Tyldesley, seemingly the forgotten towns of the now mighty Wigan empire, are seen as cannon fodder and they are happy to see these once great towns run into the ground without one thought for its residents.

Over the last 20 years I have witnessed Atherton lose amenity after amenity and absurd plans to take the lifeblood for business away from the town centre.

Formby Hall had 4,700 signatures within two weeks to save it, many objections and many questions unanswered and ignored.

Yet at a council planning committee, people’s objections count for nothing.

Many relevant questions were unanswered on presumption and hope and in a court of law these answers would have been thrown out.

Stuart Gerrard, chairman, Atherton Residents Association