THE Plank Lane area is tons better this week after a major clean up.

The church, community and council has dug in together to clear the estate of rubbish and brighten up residents' gardens.

The campaign started on Saturday and skip loads of rubbish have been removed.

The new residents' group, PLANK, the Living Waters Christian Fellowship, based in Leigh, the council's housing department and People and Places Programme have been working together with a 24-strong team of young people who have gathered in Manchester for a Message 2000 festival.

Chair of PLANK, Michelle Farrimond, said: "The work started on Saturday and for four days the Christian youth workers have been helping in the area.

"They have done a good job too, doing everything from flag laying, lawn mowing, rockery making and rubbish removing.

"Skips have been placed on the estate for people to remove their own rubbish, but on Saturday the big pieces will be shifted."

Message 2000 is a 10-day festival where 20,000 people have set up a tented city in Heaton Park, Manchester.

During the afternoons they have been helping with practical projects throughout the country. PIC 317/412/10