DERELICT tennis courts are to be transformed into a wildlife garden.

The £60,000 project will see the courts at Bank Top, Astley Bridge, replaced with flowers, trees and shrubs.

Proposals for the courts were developed after local people were asked what they wanted. Nick Moule, chairman of Bank Top Community Group, said: "This is wonderful news for Bank Top. There has been a lot of hard work put in by residents and Bank Top Church to find a long term solution to the former tennis courts which will be for the enjoyment of local residents.

"It is now up to the local community to take the scheme to their heart."

People were asked what they wanted by the council and the Bolton Wildlife Project. Cllr Donald Grime, Bolton Council executive member for direct services, said: "It will be a facility that everyone can enjoy and very much in character with the Bank Top area.

Work on the community garden is expected to start in spring. The original Bank Top village was created in 1844 as a model industrial community by the Quaker Ashworth family who owned the adjacent New Eagley Mill. The family's aim was to provide quality housing and amenities for their employees.

Bank Top is designated as a Conservation Area because of its history and character.

The original tennis courts were created in 1923 and for 70 years Bank Top had one of the most successful tennis teams in Bolton.

But declining membership and increased maintenance costs of the courts and pavilion led to the demise of the club.

A grant of £42,000 from the Countryside Agency will pay for most of the work with other contributions coming from the council, other funding agencies and money raised by residents.