A NEW initiative to breathe life into the area's parks and woodlands has been launched.

Cllr Roy Cartlidge is seeking the views of residents, businesses and environmental groups as a part of Crewe and Nantwich borough council's open spaces review.

Council environment spokesman Cllr Cartlidge said: "We need to discuss how we can provide our communities with enough breathing space so that people can remain active and healthy.

"I'd love to know what people think about these issues because I want to forge a long-term consensus about how we can all work together to enhance our open spaces."

The Labour councillor will launch a new discussion paper entitled Open Space - A Vision of the Future at the Municipal Buildings on Monday.

He is hoping the consultation exercise, between 10am and 12noon, will help to capture new ideas about the future management of local parks, woodlands and playing fields.

The paper sets out key objectives for the future provision of open space in the area and is aimed at sparking a fresh debate on the issue.

It is also designed to foster greater commitment from the different public services as well as the private and voluntary sectors about managing open space over the long term.

Amongst those involved will be land managers, farmers and environmental organisations along with business and tourism chiefs and some parish council members.

Those directly affected by the proposals are being urged to express their ideas with a view to forming a working partnership.

Cllr Cartlidge added: "I want to see children grow up in a cleaner, greener and safer society.

"That means providing open, accessible and fashionable public spaces where leisure and recreation can flourish more easily.

"I will fight for more investment in these activities, so that we can improve the quality of life for everyone."