A TEAM of volunteers from a Darwen school have formed a ‘grot squad’ to return areas of the town to their former glory.

The team, from Darwen Aldridge Community Academy (DACA), started their first project today, cleaning an area at Belgrave Square that was ruined by vandals.

There was outrage recently when a grave in the area was daubed with spray-painted slogans.

But the grave was cleaned, and now the grot squad has been in to clean up its surroundings.

The squad is the result of a partnership between DACA and Friends of Darwen Cemetery chairman John East.

Kelly Spink, Nurture group co-ordinator at DACA, said: “After the headstone was vandalised, we thought we could help out.

“John East does a lot of work with the school, so we thought we could go out and clean the community.

“We will see how this one goes and if it goes well we can think about taking on other projects.

“We have to tidy up this area first, but who knows there might be other things we can do.”

Kelly said the group consisted of five Key Stage Three pupils, from Years Seven and Eight.

She said: “Kids get a bad name when it comes to vandalism and things, so this is why we thought this was a good idea.

“We asked if they would be interested and they all said they were up for it.

“The kids here are very hands on.”

John East said he hoped it was the start of a campaign.

He said: “I am really chuffed about this and hope it is the start of something where the kids can go and help wherever they are needed.

“Vandalism does take place and the youth in the town gets a bad press.

“But if these kids go out into the community it shows they are not all the same.”