A RESIDENTS' group has been named a Commonwealth Community Champion.

Grosvenor Estate Residents Association in Kearsley is one of the first groups to be given the title in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games.

It won the award - launched by United Utilities - for organising the celebrations for the Queen's Golden Jubilee and for Commonwealth Games Day.

The group was also praised for providing support to the community with projects like litter and graffiti clean-ups.

Chairman Stephen Tonge said: "The organising committee have given a lot of their spare time to the various projects and in doing so have promoted a true spirit of friendship in our community."

The group was awarded tickets to the Games as part of the 10,000 which United Utilities is giving away in its role as a sponsor.