A BIG clean-up to bring back community spirit is planned for Whitefield and Unsworth.

The big day is Sunday, March 18 and the clean-up could become an annual event.

It is being co-ordinated by the local area board, which is asking residents, Bury Countryside Service and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers to get involved.

Councillor Alan Matthews, area board chairman, said the idea came from discussions about the local community plan.

"This is a great opportunity for the community to come together and help to improve their area," he said.

Ilona Snow-Miller, area board co-ordinator, said the aim was to encourage people to work for the benefit of their own area for one day a year.

"The idea is to target a piece of land that needs tidying up and then tackle it," she said.

"Not only will there be environmental benefits but it will help to bring back some old-fashioned community spirit.

"We need local people not just to participate but also to help organise clean-ups."

To volunteer and for more information, call Ilona on 253 7344.

Grants of up to £5,000 are still available to groups in Whitefield and Unsworth through the area board's Kickstart funding budget. Again, call Ilona for details.