A RESIDENTS’ group is delighted with its local park after transforming it over four years.

Rising Bridge and Hud Hey Residents’ Association have turned Worsley Park, in Rising Bridge, into a hive of community activity after pouring thousands of pounds of grants and hours of work into the site.

The group planted 4,500 bulbs, put in bat and bird boxes, created a dog walking area, cut back trees to encourage grass to grow, pruned overgrown rhododendrons, cleared up the tennis and basketball court and bowling green, and created spaces for a variety of wildlife, including butterflies, newts, frogs, ladybirds and other flora and fauna.

Annie Wilson, a member of the association, said: “The park was a bit neglected because of all the cutbacks the council were having to do.

“We worked very hard for four years, but everywhere in the park is very well used now, and it’s great for the community to have it there.”

Work at the Blackburn Road park began in 2010 when County Coun Peter Evans gave £375 of his annual local members’ fund for bulbs and fruit trees. The association was then awarded a £500 green partnership award towards plans for the park.

The team were then awarded a £200 Lancashire Partnership Against Crime grant to prune greenery that was preventing youngsters gathered in the park at night from being seen.

In 2011, they received another £500 green partnership award for fruit trees followed by a local members’ fund grant of £1,500 from Coun Evans, and £1,500 from Rossendale Council to repair gates and put up a plaque to mark the park being given to the community.

In 2012, the team received £10,000 to refurbish the play area for young children.

County Coun David Stansfield, for Rossendale West, who advised and supported the group in their work, said: “The improvement to the park is absolutely wonderful. They’ve turned it round and it shows this is the sort of thing that communities can achieve if they work together. It’s been a fantastic journey.”