RESIDENTS in Barnt Green will be able to have their say on the future shape of their village at the parish plan open day this Saturday.

Organised by Barnt Green Parish Council, the open day will be held at the Friends' Meeting House in Sandhills Road from 10am-4pm. Residents and businesses which use the village's facilities are being urged to attend.

Their views will be sought on a number of topics including planning, the village environment, transport, crime, conservation, communications, shopping facilities and street lighting.

The youth of the village have also been invited to air their views and a Big Brother type diary room will be available on the day where young people can record their thoughts on video.

The event is part of the parish council's consultation exercise before they draft the village's parish plan.

Parish council chairman, Elaine Buckett, explained: "This is an excellent example of "bottom-up" planning. We have already circulated a questionnaire to every household in Barnt Green and received a response from more than 75 per cent of the dwellings.

"This information, together with the findings of the open day, will enable the parish council to draft a parish plan which represents the future needs and requirements of all of our residents, and will become part of the broader Bromsgrove district and Worcestershire county plans.

"I urge everyone who uses the facilities of Barnt Green - its shops, transport links, pubs and restaurants - to come along this Saturday and have their say."

For more information about the day and the parish plan, contact Roger Westbury, executive officer to the parish council, on 0121 447 7455.