A TREE flourished thanks to paper promises hung on its branches by Bolton residents, marking the close of a campaign to end violence against women.

Visitors to Bolton Library were encouraged to decorate the bare tree sculpture by writing pledges of how they would combat abuse in the future.

One leaf read 'If my mates do it I will stand up to them' while another said, 'instead of asking why she stays, ask why he does it'.

The event ended the town's 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign which was led by community organisation the Yes Campaign who joined forces with Bolton Council, Bolton at Home, Paws for Kids, Fortalice and Arts for You.

The campaign saw a series of exhibitions and events that ran from November 25 to December 10 and seeks to raise awareness of gender violence as a human rights issue.

Gemma Aitchinson, chair of the Yes Campaign and sister of murdered Westhoughton teenager Sasha Marsden, said: "The idea with the Tree of Promise was that it was a bare tree and members of the public were invited to write pledges on the leaves saying what they would do to prevent domestic violence.

"It was a big tree sculpture which could fit two pledges on each branch. It ended up having more than 100 pledges by the end of the day, making it the most successful part of the campaign attendance wise. The whole campaign was all about raising awareness in the first place so this was a positive end to it."

Cllr Derek Burrows, cabinet member for Community Safety and Police, said: "There were a number of events as part of the campaign, including an exhibition in the Paws for Kids Charity Shop, an art exhibition in the Market Place Shopping centre and a 'Tree of Promise' exhibition at the library..

"All three exhibitions generated a lot of interest and discussion, with hundreds of people across Bolton having either visited the charity shop, the shopping centre or having left a message on the tree.

"We hope it has raised awareness about gender violence and its harrowing effects on the victims. We also hope the campaign has encouraged people suffering from domestic violence to come forward and report it and receive the help they need."