WORK has started on creating a pocket park in Prestolee, after the local community was awarded a share of a £3.75 million government fund.

Earlier this year, the government announced they would be granting £3.75 million of funding to ‘green-fingered communities’ across England.

Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal Society (MBBCS) were given £13,500 of the pot following a successful application, with support from Bolton Council.

With the money, the area between Prestolee Primary School, in Church Road and the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal is being transformed into a pocket park - set to be known as Stoneclough Community Woodland.

Pocket parks are small plots of land, often about the size of a tennis court, which can be used for everything from physical exercise, growing vegetables, children’s play and community events.

Fundraising officer at MBBCS, Chris Nash said: “This is a local, community-led project and it’s a real opportunity for the local community.

“We’re asking local people what they want to do with the space. Children as young as 11 have given us ideas.

“The nature of woodland limits what you can do but we’ll do the best we can.”

Trees in the area are currently being coppiced , and the first phase of the project is due to be completed by mid-May.

On Saturday morning, between 20 and 30 volunteers turned up to clear litter and branches from the area,

Farnworth and Kearsley First councillor for Kearsley ward, Julie Pattison was among the volunteers helping out at the site.

She added: “It was a brilliant turnout, with a mixture of ages, from children to the elderly.

“I think it’s going to enhance the work that they’ve been doing on the canals.

“It gives people somewhere to go and learn a bit about nature, or even just somewhere nice and quiet to visit after walking along the canal.”

To get involved in helping to shape the woodland, volunteers are invited to visit the site tomorrow (Wednesday March 27), and then April 10, 13, 14, 17 and 21.

People are due to be on site, on those days, from 10.30am to 3pm, depending on the weather conditions.