A GREENMOUNT resident who has helped to transform the fortunes of the village was recognised at a Downing Street reception — where he certainly had the ear of the Prime Minister.

Alistair Waddell, chairman of the Greenmount Village Community group, was invited to a special reception at 10 Downing Street, where he told David Cameron of his work in the village.

Mr Cameron was so impressed by Mr Waddell that he asked him to draw up a list of improvements that could make it easier for similar groups around the country to flourish, and this was later hand-delivered to the Prime Minister by Bury North MP David Nuttall.

Mr Waddell, aged 59, was instrumental in the formation of the organisation, and was put forward by Mr Nuttall, who also attended the ceremony alongside a number of other volunteers from across the country.

Since it was formed in 2010, Greenmount Village Community group has become a cornerstone of the village, holding a number of social events including village parties and barn dances, as well as making improvements to the area, such as renovating the village's former station and sidings.

Through the organisation, Mr Waddell has used the 2011 Localism Act to protect the village from developers, through a community right to bid scheme, which allows residents an option to buy a number of Greenmount landmarks such as Greenmount Old School, as well as a local referendum if developers decide to build on the green belt.

Mr Waddell said: "Mr Cameron said the party is in the process of writing the manifesto, and what they want to know is how the Localism Act can be improved in the next Government.

"I found him very personable. He was definitely listening to what I was saying. He did what I would have done, and set me a challenge. I then rose to the challenge, and I was deeply honoured that he had remembered me."

Mr Waddell, who works as a software developer and was born in Essex, said the organisation was formed in a bid to bring Greenmount up to speed with the surrounding areas.

He said: "The residents were looking around, and Ramsbottom and Tottington and the villages around us were getting a lot of improvements. Greenmount wasn't, so we decided to do something about it.

"Three or four people met in a pub, and said we need to correct this.

"It was a great honour to be asked to be chairman, especially as a southerner, and it showed I had been accepted. In my line of work, I am often given projects to start with a blank piece of paper, and it was much the same with the community group.

"What was our real 'we've made it' moment was during the Royal Wedding of 2011, when we organised our first party and 1,500 people attended.

"The purpose of this group is to be apolitical, and my role is to improve the environment of Greenmount, physical or social.

"What is noticeable now is that Greenmount is up there with the rest of them as being a nice place to live in the area."