A FORMER youth worker is helping residents to join together to improve their communities.

Kevin McCloskey, aged 43, has started work as a community involvement worker on the William Sutton Housing Association's Plant Hill and Long Lane estates in Bolton.

His new role will see him working with residents' groups to help them run community centres, organise trips and events, and take a full part in the development of their community.

He said: "I previously worked on an estate-based youth project in Salford for 13 to 19 year olds.

"The work was focused on getting the young people integrated into the community.

"They took part in litter picks, car washes and gardening jobs that made a real difference."