RESIDENTS, young and old, in Fairfield and Howley have joined together with councillors in a bid to revamp a park's run down facilities.

The St Peter's Area Residents' and Tenants' Association (SPARTA) and councillors have submitted a joint bid worth around £20,000 to fund refurbishments at St Peter's Park.

The scheme was developed with the help of young people in the area who were in need of a place to socialise in the evenings.

Clr Mike Hughes, who represents Fairfield and Howley, said: "This was a combined initiative involving councillors, the Police Community Action Team, SPARTA, and, very importantly, young people.

"There are some problems relating to youths hanging around this area, which need to be addressed. Clearly our young people simply want somewhere to go and something to do with their friends and these initiatives are a sensible investment in order to provide them with some space of their own."

The improvements put to WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd) and Warrington Borough Council include a covered seating area, new street lighting through the park, and additional play equipment.

Funding worth £7,000 has been secured from the borough council's Community Safety team.

A decision on funding for the remaining schemes will be made by WREN in the next few months.

Ivy Edwards, chairman of SPARTA, said: "SPARTA has been working for the past three years to bring about improvements to the park for local people so we are hopeful that all the proposals will be approved."

l SPARTA is looking for a base for the association. Anyone who has a room available that it can use, or who can offer help, should contact Dave Eatock, community development officer for Fairfield and Howley, on 825276.