A PLAN that maps out local people's aspirations for the future of Lydney is going on show.

'Turning the Tide at Lydney' will be launched by the Lydney Area Partnership, on Saturday at Naas Lane Youth and Community Centre between 10am and 2pm.

The event is a culmination of the work undertaken by a steering group following a public meeting in January 2001 where local people met to discuss the town's future.

Since that meeting Lydney has been one of nine pilot projects in the South West Regional Development Agency's (SWRDA) Market and Coastal Towns Initiative which has concentrated on the economic, social, cultural and environmental regeneration of the town and surrounding area.

The Partnership secured funding from the SWRDA to gather views from local people and begin the process of developing a partnership between agencies, the community, businesses and voluntary groups with the aim of ensuring that the local community achieved maximum benefit from new developments in the town such as the development at Lydney Docks, the proposed new housing for the town and the creation of a community power scheme, Lydney Local Power.

In order to maximise community involvement in delivering the plan the partnership will be selling £1 shares to people living and working in the local area which will enable them to vote at annual general meetings and on important decisions concerning the Partnership. The first shares will be on sale on Saturday.

Councillor David Clarke, who has chaired the Lydney Area Partnership steering group, said: "In essence, Lydney has been waiting 50 years for this. Here is partnership in action.

"I can assure everyone in the Lydney area that we have moved beyond "talk, talk" to "do, and do again." Action for and by the people of Lydney and its surrounding area. I am very excited by the prospects of real regeneration for the town."

From its inception the Lydney Area Partnership has had active support from Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op which will be at the launch event inviting people to become members and have a say in the future of the Co-op.

Kat Luddecke, Co-operative policy officer, said: "We are delighted to be able to support this worthwhile partnership which will help regenerate the area and boost the local economy.

"We have a very good track record of support for the local community and local organisations over a number of years. This brand new partnership will respond to the needs of local people because it is owned and driven by local people."