CARING schoolgirl Samantha Hollingsworth's wish is to come true.

The youngster wrote to Bury's Mayor, Cllr Neville Singer, asking what the Council could do to help the homeless.

And, as a result, eight-year-old Samantha found herself at the controls of a JCB digger.

She was given the task of beginning the work of clearing up a major eyesore site in Radcliffe which will eventually provide homes for 160 people. Radcliffe Renewal Advisory Committee Chairman Cllr Kevin Scarlett said: "For many years the old Smyrna works site in Radcliffe has been in need of major improvements.

"Now, through partnership with Irwell Valley Housing Association, that is to happen."

As part of a project at her school, St Bernadette's RC in Whitefield, Samantha wrote to the Mayor expressing her concern that not enough was being done for homeless people.

"We thought that there was no better way to show her that they are far from being forgotten by inviting her along to the beginning of this new project," said Cllr Scarlett.

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