UPGRADES to a children’s play area in Helmshore could be completed by the end of September.

Friends of Snig Hole Park was awarded £162,000 earlier this year to improve facilities at the park.

Rossendale Council has invited firms to tender for the upgrade work, with a view to starting the project in mid-July and completing work by September 23.

The park, also known as Helmshore Memorial Park, is due to one area with equipment for toddlers and another for juniors and teenagers.

The Lancashire Environment Fund (LEF) has provided the Friends group with a £30,000 grant, while another £132,000 has been secured from section 106 funds connected to two nearby housing developments.

The group is working with Proffitts, a Haslingden-based community interest company, to bring about the changes.

Yvonne Cox, chair of the Friends group, said: “Now we can move forward to deliver the improvements, so the community can start to make better use of the park.”