The town that turned blue may now be switching back

RESIDENTS SAY THEY ARE LOOKING TO LABOUR TO REVERSE DECADE OF DECLINE

- THOMAS GEORGE

"IT BREAKS my heart," says Linda Collier, casting a despondent look down Leigh's deserted high street.

It's just gone 3pm on a Wednesday and Linda and her husband, Patrick, are closing up for the day.

Their cafe, The Coffee Bar, has been in Linda's family since 1961 and has hosted generations of Leythers.

She grew up in the flat above the cafe, in Bradshawgate and has spent much of her life there.

"In the past 63 years, I don't think there have been many days when I've not been on this street," she explained.

"I grew up here, I played out here. My first job was in here, emptying ashtrays when I was two." Over the last half a century, Linda has witnessed plenty of change in Leigh town centre.

But over the last 10 years, she says the town has changed for the worse.

Drugs and antisocial behaviour are 'rife, she claims, while shoplifting is becoming an problem.

increasing "This used to be a thriving town but the past 10 years, it's rife with drugs," she said. "It's deteriorating.

"This town is crawling with drug addicts and dealers. People are afraid to go out in the evening.

"We need some law and order, we really do. Everybody in Leigh agrees that we need more police." After the upcoming general election, Linda is hoping something will change.

She and her husband intend to vote for Labour in the hope that Sir Keir Starmer and his party can address the issues blighting their hometown.

Patrick, a former engineer whose father worked down one of Leigh's mines, believes a Labour government will "make a difference" after 14 years of Conservative rule.

"They can't be any worse," he said.

"I just want a better future for our kids and grandkids. We have two sons and two daughters-in-law. All four of them work and they are struggling."

Linda and Patrick are not the only ones hungry for change on July 4.