A GROUP of neighbours got together to support our campaign after chatting in the street.

The Observer has teamed up with Harrow Council to encourage people to sign our petition calling on the coalition government to provide the borough with a larger and fairer share of the national pot to top up what it collects in council tax.

So far we have collected 1,400 signatures and we are urging our readers to get involved in our Campaign for a Fair Grant.

Word of mouth spread quickly in Gloucester Road, North Harrow, when one neighbour had read about the campaign.

Alvina Kaye, who has lived in Harrow 35 years, heard about the campaign from a friend and neighbour and said: “We were all talking and agreed it was worth making a statement.

“I hadn’t been looking in to it that much but it was a group of us in discussion and I was surprised Harrow gets a lot less than other boroughs in London.

“In North Harrow the shopping area is not very well supported, if there was more funding there would be more employment.

“It was through discussion with the neighbours I decided to sign, people do feel quite strongly about it.”

Mother-of-two Helena May, 40, also sent in her declaration with her neighbours and said: “It is unfair that Harrow should get less than other areas – it is a big and well populated borough.

“It was my dad who got me onto it and I thought I would sign it as well.

“I didn’t realise how unfair it was until it was brought up. You can never have too much money, but with a bit extra we could do a lot more.”

The part-time worker added: “They could do more for the elderly as well.

“I am sure any extra money would be used quite well. It’s a nice area but it could be even nicer. I think the community spirit has been broken up a bit over the years.”

The Observer is encouraging readers to sign our petition calling on the coalition government to provide Harrow with a larger and fairer share of the national pot to top up what it collects in council tax.

The statistics used to calculate what each local authority deserves means Harrow Council receives just £1,608 per person, while neighbouring Brent gets more than twice as much at £3,317 for each person.