POLICE and residents in Taunton are teaming up to help a community help itself.

The new Lambrook Community Local Action Team was officially formed on Tuesday night (September 7), with the signing of its constitution.

The meeting at the Dreamfields skatepark brought together people from the community with local councillors Maureen Lawrence, Tim Slattery and Melvyn Mullins, Taunton Deane Council's community support officer Scott Weetch and the police's Chief Superintendent John Snell.

The aim of the group is to revitalise Lambrook for the benefit of everyone who lives in one of Somerset's most deprived areas.

Lambrook's beat officer PC Andy Murphy said: "It was a positive meeting, with good attendance -- the were around 40 people, including many young people."

"It's not just about what the kids want, it's about quality of life issues."

Local Action Team co-ordinator Tony Stephens said issues that cropped up included the possibility of bringing youth shelters or multi-use games areas (MUGAs) to the area.

LAT chairman Claudine Wall said: "Our long-term aim is to get a community centre with a youth club for the children and in the short term we need to raise some funds for the estate.

"We want to get the whole community involved -- they need to come forward and tell us what they want."

n IF you live in Lambrook and would like to get involved with the new LAT, contact Claudine on 01823-259805 or 07867-625288.

n A FETE is being held to raise funds for Taunton's new Lambrook Community Local Action Team, tomorrow (Saturday).

The family fun event at Victoria Park will include a bouncy castle, stalls, raffle and other entertainment, to support the new LAT, backed by the police and a group of local residents.

The fete begins at 11.30am and continues to 4pm.