I WISH to offer my sincere thanks to all who have helped me to turn the play area at Brandlesholme from a dream into a reality.

When I started my petition, I was unaware quite how many people felt as I did, that this area had been left as a "backwater" for far too long. I was amazed at the speed that signatures appeared on the petition, and the way in which the residents association and former councillor Andrea Hughes took up the fight, not only alongside me but also on my behalf and that of the people of the area.

That fight was continued after the local elections by councillors Yvonne Creswell and Ray Watts, showing that politics can be put aside for the common good!

It would be impossible to thank every person individually, but I would like to add thanks to the area board, who not only gave us their backing but £5,000 from the Kick-Start budget, and the council's client services who kept me informed of the progress of the work.

The fight is not yet over, though, as we now intend to get phase two and three from a "maybe" to a reality!

My thanks again to all who have been involved in this project, whether by deed or by moral support. It shows that by working together, people power can achieve a common goal.

ROY C. RIGBY,

Birks Drive, Bury.