CALLS have been made for the Astley Bridge community to pool together to restore their park to its former glory.

Astley Bridge Park, off Moss Bank Way, was described as a "tired", "dead space", that is attracting antisocial behaviour, at a community meeting.

Ward councillors for the area have urged residents to help them bring the park and cemetery back in use as a popular green space for families.

Cllr Paul Wild said: "Astley Bridge Park and Cemetery have been a bone of contention for quite some time.

"Many people have relatives buried there.

"The chapel hasn't been in use for some 30 to 40 years. The state of the cemetery is not as we would like it to be.

"Astley Bridge Park is a dead space at the moment really. All you get there is antisocial behaviour at night. We want to make it easier on the eye.

"We want to see this area used to its full and best potential. We would like to put a rose garden in the park.

"But to get the most out of this space we have got to put more into it."

Astley Bridge ward councillors have called on residents to form a Friends of Astley Bridge Park group to help maintain the park.

It is hoped a volunteer-led community group would be able to obtain funding and grants for small-scale projects at the site such as bulb planting.

Cllr John Walsh said: "Friends groups would have the opportunity to apply for grants. Self-help might be the way forward."

Cllr Hilary Fairclough said: "The park is tired. It does not have a lot to offer. The play equipment is tired. It is not somewhere you want to take your children for an afternoon out.

"We really need to revitalise it."

Cllr Fairclough has committed to putting a bid together for some funding towards improving the green space.

She also hopes to involve schools and existing community groups to help make decorative featurepieces to brighten up the park grounds.

The issue was raised at an area forum meeting held at High Lawn Primary School, in Holden Avenue, on Thursday night.

Anyone who would like to get involved in the community project should contact one of the ward councillors.