Monumental task!

They are cleaning up land within the town's most prominent junction to create a perfect scenic home for Walkden Monument.

The monument was a memorial to Harriet, widow of the first Earl of Ellesmere, who is famous for helping the needy.

The idea to reinstate the monument in a town centre garden area came from members of the Walkden Rotary Club.

They set up a working committee and campaign to fund their £100,000 project.

So far, £55,000 has been promised. They are awaiting the outcome of several bids put in for additional funding.

Armed with gardening tools, they are cutting down overgrown shrubs and clearing behind advertising hoardings of rubbish.

The high profile site is at the junction of Bolton Road and the A6 in Walkden town centre.

Peter Openshaw, secretary of the committee, said: "Fundraising is going well and we have recently been registered as an environmental body leading to several bids being made for funding on which decisions are awaited.

"We cleared up rubbish and began cutting down wild bushes and weeds.

"We want to show people something is actually beginning to happen.

"Next stop is raising more money to get the main project under way."

Further information on the project is available from group secretary Peter Openshaw on 0161 793 3714.

Donations can be sent to Rotary Club of Walkden, Millennium Account, Royal Bank of Scotland, Walkden Branch, Sort Code 16-33-30, Account No 10069849.