CHILDREN in Egerton have been “signing up” to help improve their local park.

Last year, a competition was launched by the Egerton Park Improvement Committee (EPIC) to encourage children in the local area to be proud of their park and to do what they can to help look after it.

The contest asked local school children to get artistic and design signs to be put up in the park to promote “positive behaviour” by people using the park.

The invitations were sent out in August 2012 and the committee said they received a “fantastic response”.

The winning entry came from Chelsea Gillard of Walmsley Church of England Primary School.

Katie Bradley, also of Walmsley School, was highly commended for her effort.

Representing Egerton Primary School were Callum Connor and Mia Wardle, who were both highly commended for their signs.

The winning and highly commended entries have now been made into permanent signs and are displayed in the park.

Amy Cowan, vice chair of EPIC said: “At the very heart of all the work we at EPIC are doing is the desire to involve the community and in particular the children in improving Egerton Park.

“We want to encourage the children to be proud of their park and to look after it.

“We were so pleased with the response from the sign competition that we are now considering running the contest on an annual basis.”

EPIC formed last year with the intention of bringing their local park to life.