A DOUBLE celebration is under way for a residents’ group which has transformed a patch of wasteland into a community space.

Hunger Hill Action Group has officially opened the area behind Knutshaw Crescent following months of hard work.

And that hard work has led to the group picking up a prestigious community award.

They were among the residents from across the borough being celebrated at the Bolton at Home second annual awards at the Festival Hall for making a difference in their communities.

There were honours for individuals and groups across 11 categories.

Hunger Hill Action Group received the Environmental Project of the Year award, after using an £80,000 Big Lottery grant from Granada TV’s People’s Millions competition and a £10,000 donation from Bolton at Home to transform a field used as a dumping ground.

More than 220 tonnes of rubbish was removed from the site during the Our Back Field project, which now has footpaths, plants and trees, a pond, bat and bird boxes and special artwork designed by Oliver Wotherspoon to be a gateway to the area.

Other groups were recognised with Johnson Fold Youth and Community Group picking up Community Group of the Year, St John Fisher Toddler Group and Oldhams Shakers were joint winners of the Innovative Project of the Year category, the Creative Project of the Year title went to Hindley’s and Clough Farm Residents Association and Horwich’s Oak Avenue Action Group was recognised for its Communal Garden.

Margaret Kay, of New Bury, was awarded Most Outstanding Contribution to Customer Involvement; Joan Kirkham, of Westhoughton, and Carol Fearnley, of Tonge Moor, were joint winners of Good Neighbour of the Year and Louise Settle, from Deane, was recognised for Inspiring the Youth of Bolton.

In the gardening categories, John Prescott, of Westhoughton, had the Best Garden; Paul Mayston, also of Westhoughton, was given the award for Most Improved Garden and Teresa Warren, of Great Lever, was recognised for her Plants in Pots.