YOUNGSTERS at a Westhoughton school will go on a three-day adventure holiday thanks to "criminal cash" given back to the community by police.

Washacre Primary School was awarded £1,500 at the Westhoughton You Decide event after children impressed the local community with their proposal for a three-day residential visit to Colomendy in Mold for year five pupils.

The money comes from a pot of £15,000 from Greater Manchester Police allocated to groups in Westhoughton — with the public voting on who gets the cash.

Carl Messenger, senior leader at the school, said Washacre Primary School's proposal came top showing the school had the community's backing.

Year five pupil Blake Hodgkinson said: "To be able to go and spend three nights at Colomendy in Mold would be a dream come true.

"I have never been to Wales before and all the current year six children who went last year really enjoyed it."

Classmate Kiera Taylor said: "Being able to try things like caving, raft building and taking part in a midnight walk sounds amazing, something I could never do in Westhoughton."

Pupil Connor Field, who helped give the presentation to more than 100 people, said: "Our current year five children will be able to have this outstanding once in a lifetime experience.

"The residential will help them to shape their future and given them courage and strength to try new things.

"It will provide children like me the opportunity to develop skills like team building and problem solving that we will be able to use to the full when we start at Westhoughton High School."

Fellow young team member Kodie Gibbs added: "All of the children will enjoy the residential, it will be the best school trip we will ever have.

"It will allow us the opportunity to try different things, things that we would never do in Westhoughton.

"I know other children who have attended the residential and they all say what a fantastic opportunity it is, something that will prepare us for the future."