AN army of children from Westhoughton High School have been helping conservation officers turn an overgrown woodland into a thriving nature reserve.

They have joined Lancashire Wildlife Trust to plant seeds, cut down unwanted bushes and construct footpaths in Hall Lee Bank Park.

The youngsters are being supported by Westhoughton Drop In Centre's youth leaders, who say the work will inspire them to look after the park in the future.

Youth participation officer Lesley Gilmore said: "This work will give these children a sense of ownership over the park.

"It will encourage them and other children to look after it in years to come."

The park looks set to become Bolton's next nature reserve when the conservation work is completed during the next year.

Residents had complained that the park was overgrown and was being used as a dumping ground by people unconcerned about the environment.

It used to be a place where dozens of young couples and families spent their Sunday afternoons, and bands played there in the summer.

Now the youngsters are helping bring back the glory days -- while protecting the local wildlife.

Ben Hargreaves, the Lancashire trust's nature reserves officer, said the children were playing a vital role in creating a wildlife haven for their own town.

He said: "They are creating a haven that can be enjoyed by future generations and they are also learning new skills."