AN AMBITIOUS £130,000 project to develop an area of open space in Rossendale is starting to take shape.

Work started yesterday to transform Cloughfold Recreation Ground after the idea was put forward two years ago.

Padiham-based Landscape Engineering won the contract to develop the land which has been neglected for a number of years.

Cloughfold Recreation Action Group (CRAG) is to transform the land and create a children's play area, willow tunnel, laurel maze, rock gardens, an amphitheatre for teaching and performances with seating, allotment gardens for local schools, a barbecue area and a picnic area.

The group, which is headed by volunteer Christine Lomax, wanted to develop the land for community purposes following concern that the site may be lost if the council chose to sell it for development.

They came up with the final proposals for the site after speaking to primary schoolchildren and the community about what they wanted at the site off Hareholme Lane, Higher Cloughfold.

It is hoped the work will be completed by April 1.

Christine Lomax said CRAG has negotiated a 25-year lease of the land with the council, and secured funding from the Countryside Agency to cover maintenance costs at the site for the first three years.

After that, she said, the group would be responsible for finding the money.

Funding for the project has also come from Shanks First and Sita landfill, Lancashire County Council and Livingspaces.

She said: "Cloughfold recreation ground is a beautiful site, with a beautiful view and is quite well used.

"But we were also having problems with people dumping and burning out cars and there was a fear that it might be sold off for housing.

"This has helped secure the site's future as a community space and will make it a place for children to play and families to enjoy for years to come."