YOUNGSTERS in Heaton got so tired of their untidy play area they decided to take some action with the help of Greater Manchester Police.

A team of more than 50 young people gave the rec a make-over and have now reached the Bolton final of the Greater Manchester Police's Make A Difference campaign.

The project is aimed at young people who have completed projects in the community to try and help other people. The park, in Musgrave Road, had become shabby and graffiti on the ground was making the area an eyesore.

But the group , aged between 10 and 18, who called themselves the Musgrave Musketeers, tidied the area and gave play equipment a new lease of life with a lick of paint. The park and neighbouring St Luke's Court were also cleaned up.

To celebrate their achievement, the children had a fun day with hamburgers and even a visit from the Bolton Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr John and Mrs Christine Walsh, who are pictured with them

1 Lindsey Worrall, Community Beat Officer in Halliwell, who helped the volunteers get started was very pleased with the achievement of the team, who called themselves the Musgrave Musketeers.

She said: "We knew the children wanted to tidy the area up as they hoped to encourage people back on the park again. The group have had problems with residents around the park when they have been playing football, but now Bolton Council has donated goal posts to the park so they can have a proper game."

Materials and equipment were offered to the group from various business and stores around Bolton and everyone joined in the clean up which took seven days.

To celebrate their achievement, the children had a fun day with hamburgers and even a visit from the Bolton Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr John and Mrs Christine Walsh who were very impressed with the task the youngsters had undertaken and the finished result.

The Musgrave Musketeers will take part in the Make a Difference final in January. Local winners get a £200 prize and the overall winner for Greater Manchester gets £2,000.