A SERIES of summer events have been planned to bring the crowds back to a park once plagued by anti-social behaviour A chainsaw sculptor, a BMX freestyler and local jazz band will keep park-goers in Bolton entertained over the next month.

Bolton Council has arranged the family events in Queens Park throughout June.

The activities are part of a campaign to get more people using the park.

Queens Park is undergoing a £4.3 million restoration funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The work includes a new community pavilion with café and meeting area for local voluntary groups and a new play facility.

This Sunday, between noon and 4pm, there will be a family fun day featuring children’s entertainers including a Punch and Judy show, as well as a circus skills workshop and face painting.

Nature lovers will be able to plant plants along the riverside, taking part in a woodland parade through the park and creating their own “secret garden” in the woods.

There will also be a chainsaw wood sculptor creating a permanent piece of artwork for the park, based on a winning design by a pupil from Pikes Lane Primary School.

Bolton FM will be showcasing local Bolton talent with the first of their musical roadshows, and jazz band Bourbon Street Roof Raisers will be playing classic and modern tunes.

On Sunday, June 13, BMX and extreme sports fans can watch performances by a world class freeland rider, Sam Foakes while action junkies can climb on a mobile wall, try out the low ropes challenge, practice their skills at the archery corner or test their cycling skills on the mountain bike assault course.

Those who fancy a bit less action can test their ‘bearings’ with the various orienteering courses available at the park or check their fitness level at the Bollywood Arobathon.