VOTERS in Nunnery ward want better play facilities for children, extra flowers and plants to bring colour to the Ronkswood estate and a clamp down on litter and crime. They hope whoever is elected can tackle these and other issues.

Care assistant, Amanda Hall, of Canterbury Road, said helping the younger generation of Ronkswood should be the main priority of councillors.

"I would like to see better play facilities for children on the estate," said the 25-year-old mother.

"The playground we do have is past it and with older children hanging around the park it never feels safe for the youngsters to play. Having some child minding facilities in the area would definitely help me out."

Extra policing was seen as key for Pamela Bright, of Exeter Road, who is fed up of gangs of children roaming the streets.

"I would like to see more police patrolling the area, because the children are out of control, always hanging around in gangs near the shops," said the 59-year-old.

"The shopping area around the church (off Canterbury Road) just looks like a dead end street- there's lots of litter and we could do with some flowers and shrubs to help brighten up the area."

Jane Barnes, of Liverpool Road, who is unemployed, felt vandalism and rubbish was spoiling the area's look. "Lots of junk, such as fridge freezers are just left dumped in some gardens, but they are never removed," said the 47-year-old.

"Children are doing lots of minor damage on the estate and Ronkswood Community Centre is often vandalised, it really needs tackling."

Pensioner Lillian Hughes, of Norwich Road said she would like more activities for older people on the estate. "I meet at a drop in facility in Ronkswood Community Centre every Tuesday which is really great," said the 73-year-old.

"I'd love to see more money available to put into similar schemes for the elderly, to have more events throughout the week if possible."