A CAMPAIGN has been launched to preserve the image of Leigh as a pretty fishing town, packed full of independent shops.

The initiative, called Good for Leigh, is aimed at encouraging residents to take responsibility for their own area and retain the traditional look of the town.

Hilary Davison, chairman of Leigh Town Council, came up with the scheme to make the town a more pleasant place to live and work, encourage “green” responsibility and retain the independent shops.

She said: “I was looking for things we could all do together to galvanise the town to take pride in itself. It’s a simple thing. I think the theory is if everybody did their bit it would be an even better place to live.

“It’s about highlighting there are things we can do individually without expecting the powers that be to do everything.

“If everyone can adopt an area to keep clear of litter, it can make it a much more pleasant place in which to live.”

The campaign aims to clear up litter, cigarette ends and chewing gum in Leigh. It should also encourage people to use their own reusable shopping bags, and for shops to phase out the free distribution of plastic carrier bags in favour of small paper bags.

Mrs Davison said she also wanted more people to shop locally to curb the growing trend of independent shops closing.

She said: “If we don’t use the shops in Leigh they will close, that’s the rule of economics. If people are prepared to do that, then we’ll survive.”