MORE than £100,000 could be spent on extending neighbourhood alliances across the town, writes Becky Procter.

The move comes after the success of alliances which have been launched in Woodrow, Batchley, Smallwood and Church Hill.

The alliances were set up to bring groups together, provide help and support to residents within their own communities and improve quality of life.

Redditch Councillor Betty Passingham said plans to utilise Government grants to extend the schemes were being looked at.

She said: "We would look at setting up alliances in west Redditch in Crabbs Cross, Headless Cross, Webheath and also Abbeydale."

An alliance was set up in Batchley more than five years ago and was given funding of £10,000 from Worcestershire Health Authority.

Mrs Passingham said: "It will cost more than £25,000 to provide an alliance worker in each place so if we created four new ones it would cost more than £100,000."

Meanwhile, consultation over how to spend a £1.5 million grant from the Government took place with townsfolk last week.

'Surestart' was created by the Government to help provide help and support for parents with young children under the age of four.

Mrs Passingham said: "We had some fun days in four different places in Redditch, including All Women's House in Smallwood.

"The women were asked what they would like to see the money spent on; what made them 'glad or mad' about Redditch and were invited to complete a wish list inside the questionnaire."