PLANS to bring an old playing field back into use took a massive step forward after a council-organised tidy-up operation.

Blackburn with Darwen Council held the Your Call event at Square Meadow, behind the former Darwen Moorland High School site. 

Volunteers cut the grass and generally tidied the area, which is to be brought back into community use.

Campaigner Harry Blackwell, of Dandy Row, who remembers playing on the field as a child, had been concerned for some time about the possibility of losing the site.

But earlier this year he was told it was to be preserved as it was not part of the land set to be sold off by the council if it is given permission by the Government.

Mr Blackwell said: “I am hoping to return the area to its former glory for the benefit of the whole community.

“If the excellent support I have received from the council through the Your Call scheme continues, then together we will see the successful fulfilment of this joint project.”

More than 30 volunteers got their hands dirty during the event. Coun Kate Hollern, leader of the council, said: “I was really pleased to give Harry this land through the Your call scheme.This emphasises our commitment to the concerns of our residents.

“The scheme allows the council to give residents the means to improve their communities and in turn improve the borough. This is the largest Your Call scheme to date and working with Harry I know it can be a success.”

Will Straw, Darwen’s prospective parliamentary Labour candidate in 2015, also took part in the event.

He said: “The community clean- up at Square Meadow was a brilliant event with more than two dozen volunteers picking up litter, strimming and flattening grass so that the old school field can be retained as a football pitch.

“Congratulations to Harry Blackwell for organising the event and getting so many people involved.

“The atmosphere was terrific on what was a beautiful winter day.”