RESIDENTS are to hold a fun day to mark the opening of a safe haven for children which underwent a £30,000 Ground Force-style makeover.

The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Coun John Williams is to open the event, on the site of the former disused water lodge, off Watery Lane, Darwen, which was refurbished in a bid to stamp out juvenile nuisance in the area.

Members of the Lodgeside Trust Residents' Association, made up of residents from the Whitehall area of Darwen, spent three years working with local children campaigning for the scheme to get the go-ahead and it was only made possible after council bosses chipped in with a cash donation.

At a cost of about £30,000 Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has given the site makeover with the installation of drainage pipes, goalposts and a basketball hoop, as well as re-seeding the grass. There are also plans to install a number of benches.

The fun day will be this sunday, September 2, starting at 11am.

Attractions will include a fire brigade display, a beer tent, dancing and a kung fu exhibition as well as a gymnastics display.

Local band Silk Bison will also be performing at 5.30pm.

If you would like a stall at the open day or would like to help telephone Trust chairman Rita Billington on 07974 867914.