A GROUP which aims to revive community spirit on a Farnworth estate has successfully bid for a start-up grant.

Nine friends got together to set up the Bradford Street Community Association to unite residents and try to improve the area.

Now the council's Voluntary Sector Grant Scheme has awarded £497 to help it get off the ground and the group is waiting to hear about two further cash bids.

The grant will be used to cover costs to start the group such as printing posters and paying for refreshments at meetings, which volunteers have been paying for out of their own pockets so far.

The association recently held its first public meeting which attracted around 50 people.

Main issues raised at the meeting were crime and lack of policing and local PC Glynne Armstrong has agreed to go to the next meeting to address any questions.

There are also plans to set up a Homesafe scheme and the association eventually hopes to convert part of St Peter's Church Hall into a community area.

The next meeting will be at the school on May 29 at 7pm.