THE people of Alderley Edge have their own views on how to spend the £600,000 windfall from the sale of the village institute.

Residents are calling on trustees to consider new ideas and opinions before steaming ahead with an open chequebook.

So far the question of what to do with the cash, once the old mission hall is sold to Jones' Homes, has been a source of much debate.

Last year, then parish council trustee Barbara Armitage said she wanted a 'reminiscence centre'.

Trustee chairman Robert Payne suggested 'sharing' the cash between various local causes, including youth, education and sport.

And parish council trustee, Coun Frank Keegan, hinted the money may be 'banked' and the £30,000-a-year interest used for local grants.

This week the Express newspaper sought public opinion in Alderley Edge and found there were also mixed views outside the village institute.

Olive Fenton, 33, who has a six-week-old son, Kealan, said it was important to think of long term ideas for generations to come.

"We've got to consider the future, and having had a baby recently, I think it's important to look at facilities for young people.

"I also think they should concentrate more on the traffic problems, Kealan will be going to school in Nether Alderley and something like a school bus or walking bus scheme would reduce the number of cars on the road in the morning."

Emma Wakefield, 26, is concerned by the number of closed shops in the village.

Emma said: "I think the whole place needs jazzing up generally and I'd think more parking spaces would attract more shoppers."

Lindsey Wordley said some of the £600,000 should be pumped back into the library, which will be moved to another site in the Jones' Homes deal.

"It should be put back into the community," she said.

Stephen Dixon, 50, is interested in art and believed a theatre would be successful.

"It'd be nice to have somewhere for people to go, in other areas they have been quite popular."

James White, 20, agreed with Mr Dixon and said: "I think a theatre may be a good idea, something creative and possibly something aimed at young people."

Zaida Mcatee, a Manchester University lecturer, said: "Not everyone is like Posh and Becks round here. We don't have much to do or many places to go. People who go out during an evening here tend to be from outside the area, what we need is somewhere where local people can go."

We want to hear more of YOUR views. E-mail us at wilmslowexpress@gmwn.co.uk