AN ambitious and inclusive' six-point vision' to start turning Warrington into a major player in the north west by 2010 has been unveiled.

Town Hall bosses have pledged to build on the council's excellent' four-star rating by focusing on key issues: health, communities, the environment and economy, transport, children and young people, and delivering services.

Council leader Ian Marks and chief executive Diana Terris said at the launch of Vision 2010' that recent successes such as Golden Square, the bus interchange, Chapelford Village and Omega had put Warrington on the map'.

But they warned there was a lot more to be done if the council was to achieve the highly-sought outstanding' rating' and attract more investment into the borough.

"Warrington Borough Council has never formally adopted a vision statement before and as an organisation we feel it is vital to have one," Ms Terris told council workers, business leaders and local organisations.

"All high-performing councils and organisations have a clearly articulated sense of purpose and that is what we need.

"This vision will underpin our ambition."

Although it stops short of setting measurable targets, the vision statement commits the council to paying serious attention to things like tackling congestion, redeveloping Bank Quay Station, refurbishing leisure centres and strengthening deprived communities.

Clr Marks said the six priorities were arrived at after significant' consultation with officers, including frontline service staff, and delivering on them would involve regular feedback from the public.

"We will only be a thoroughly outstanding council when residents tell us we've got it right in delivering our services," he added.

But there was less positivity among some in the audience.

One woman voicing her concerns about where Warrington Market figured in the council's plans was assured by Clr Marks that it would not be allowed to wither away'.

And a man who questioned if rural Warrington' featured in the vision was told by deputy leader Keith Bland that town' meant the whole borough and not just the town centre.

Clr Marks also said the need for a town centre swimming pool would hopefully' be serviced by the proposed Orford Park development.

nick.lakeman@guardiangrp.co.uk.co.uk