MORE than 100 people packed the Cradley Action Group’s launch meeting demanding a much-needed facelift to neglected parts of the town.

Top of the group’s hit-list is the scourge caused by derelict shops in Colley Gate - two of which have been boarded up for more than 11 years.

Invitations to owners of the disused buildings were refused and residents were left frustrated - but determined to fight on - when council officers told them their hands were tied.

Well-travelled action group founder Richard Legiewicz said: “Some of the Nigerian villages I’ve been through look better than Colley Gate at the moment.

He added: “Over the last 12 years the state of the shops in Colley Gate has deteriorated to the point that some might be considered dangerous.

“Owners have not bothered to keep them in a fit condition and in all this time none of them have paid one single penny in business rates to the area.”

His wife and fellow co-founder Chris Legiewicz said it was “outrageous” that the owners of the buildings, who do not live in the area, allowed them to deteriorate so badly and leave rubbish that was attracting “rats as big as cats”.

She said the refusal of two owners to discuss the future of the buildings was scuppering plans to rejuvenate the area, with outline planning permission due to run out in November.

Councillors and council officers, including head of economic development Rupert Dugdale, listened to residents’ complaints at Monday’s meeting, such as the effect on house prices in Colley Lane and Maple Tree Lane.

Mr Legiewicz, who hosted the meeting at The Laurels Club, said: “It all went off extremely well, with over 100 people attending the meeting. This was very pleasing as it was more than we had been anticipating for our first meeting.”

The group is hoping to meet with Cradley MP Margot James to lobby for her support and has set up its own Facebook page and a website at http://cradley.org The next meeting will be on Monday June 3, at The Laurels, Windmill Hill, at 7.30pm.