E.ON UK has now set up its community investment fund for Byley residents to dip into and villagers were queuing up to tell bosses how the money should be spent at an open day on Thursday.

Ideas included bridleways, footpaths and a new football strip for the local children's team.

Within a few hours more than 30 people had taken part in an interactive survey using a touch screen.

All the suggestions will be studied before any decisions are made by a liaison committee of E.ON representatives and parish and borough councillors.

Residents have until December to submit an application form and reasons why they should get a slice of the cash.

Community executive Billie Holland said: "Even individuals can put forward a suggestion as long as it would benefit the whole community."

Last week the local liaison committee met to discuss the progress of work on the former site of RAF Cranage.

Contractors will soon start drilling the third cavern in Drakelow Lane, Byley, where brine will eventually be extracted.

Salt samples from the first two underground caverns are currently being analysed and a German company will check the strength of them.

But not everyone at last week's open day was happy with the work.

Charlotte Peters-Rock, who fought against the gas plant for the past five years, said: "This removes world history, which took place on the site of RAF Cranage."

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