PENSIONERS have paid a glowing tribute to their "ringleader" who has scoured Bolton winning business support for a new-look community centre.

Beryl Cross has received top praise from fellow members of the Barlow Park Pensioners Association.

The pensioner has searched high and low in a bid to get paint, carpets, toilets, showers and other items for the Astley Bridge community centre.

Even sailors fell victim of Mrs Cross's charm when they agreed to spruce up the community centre last week in a Challenge Anneka-style operation.

Tom Lynch, spokesman for the pensioner's group, said: "She has been working tooth and nail for this community centre which had fallen into rack and ruin.

"She has run up a phone bill as long as your arm and has worked very hard to get lots of items from firms.

"It has been very surprising to have such a good response and we would also like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who helped."

The building, off Dunoon Drive, Astley Bridge, was previously the base for the Sport Aid Foundation and fell into disrepair a couple of years ago.

Now, thanks to the efforts of sailors from Bolton's adopted ship HMS Beaver and local firms, the centre is the new home for the Barlow Park Pensioners Association.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.