CARING residents on a Bolton housing estate are rallying round to give youngsters their first community Christmas party.

Members of the Hunger Hill Residents' Association have decided to inject some Yuletide spirit into their area.

Chairman Jean Mulvaney says their main aim is to keep the estate's youngsters happy.

Mrs Mulvaney, of Hunger Hill Avenue, said: "The kids round here have never had anything like this before. That's why we wanted to organise the party.

"It's not that we're a deprived area, we just seem to get left out when things are dished out.

"Everybody has put something into the party. I hope it will bring our community even closer.

"Children round here just don't have the necessary facilities and we want to give them something they could enjoy."

Months of fund-raising has pulled in £650 which will be used to buy up to 130 presents for the children.

The money was partly raised following two bric-a-brac sales in the town centre, as well as a raffle.

And as the community Christmas spirit kicks in, a local joiner has built a special sleigh for the presents, which has been painted by a Hunger Hill decorator.

The manager of Deane Conservative Club has also given the organisers free use of a room for the party.

The party, on Monday, will be open to young people up to age 18 and parents on the estate.

Mrs Mulvaney added: "Everyone is really excited about it all. The older ones are the worst."

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