A 5,500-signature petition calling for improvements in services and facilities in Middlewich has been presented to Cheshire East Council.

Last month the council said it would not be considering the petition at any of its committees because some of the people who signed live outside the borough and some of the signatures were obtained outside the six-month period.

But the petition was accepted at this week's full meeting of the council when presented by Fight For Middlewich campaigner Laura Turner.

Mrs Turner, who recently became a Middlewich town councillor and this week was elected as its deputy mayor, told the meeting: "Please be assured this petition is not a case of 'I want, I want, I want'.

"This petition only highlights the true needs of our town and the impact these objectives are having on our residents today."

Fight for Middlewich was formed last September amid claims from some residents that Cheshire East has neglected the town for years.

Middlewich protesters outside Cheshire East's HQ in Sandbach in November last year

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One of its main aims is to see an improvement in youth provision in the town.

The group is also campaigning for a swimming pool in Middlewich and more infrastructure in line with the growing population.

Other issues include finding a prompt resolution to the argument surrounding the ownership of Middlewich cemetery – although this is not a Cheshire East matter as the council is not responsible for the cemetery.

Cllr Turner told the Cheshire East meeting: "It seems to me that, through my findings, lots of decisions are being made on behalf of our town without Middlewich people being present, and being made on out-of-date formulas and reports that are no longer currently realistic.

"Speaking to the residents directly before making such decisions for our town must be reintroduced in an easy and simplistic way."

She said Middlewich had suffered from a lack of investment for a number of years.

"I know there's other towns suffering also from a lack of investment, but our residents are seriously being affected the items in this petition," said the town councillor.

She added: "I'm happy to say some of the objectives are now being worked on with our ward councillors in Middlewich which is a great outcome."

Cllr Turner said the youth project had just been set up and had been a great success and is helping reduce the anti-social behaviour the town had been experiencing.