A NEW community garden has helped to transform an area once blighted by fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.

Residents on the Dumers housing estate in Radcliffe got together to give the land in Seddon Avenue a huge facelift.

They are now looking forward to watching the garden blossom and admiring the fruits of their hard work.

Bury Council and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister contributed towards the cost of the scheme.

Neighbours from Dumers Tenants' and Residents' Association cleared trees and brambles from the land, with the help of the council, and the ground has been landscaped.

A planting day was held last weekend in which children were invited to help plant shrubs and flowers.

Glenys Holt, chairman of Dumers Tenants' and Residents' Association, said: "This project has provided an attractive community garden and brought neighbours together.

"It has set the standard for similar projects on other parts of Dumers estate in the future."

Cllr Steve Perkins, from Bury Council, praised the residents for their commitment to the scheme.

He said: "This is an example of local people leading an effort to improve the quality of life in their area.

"We were only too delighted to back this idea, which has turned a piece of redundant land into a lovely community garden and something I hope everyone will appreciate and treasure."