POLICE plan to give residents in Farnworth a boost by transforming a piece of land into a beauty spot following action to rid the area of crime and nuisance neighbours.

Officers applied for funds from Tony Lloyd, the police and crime commissioner for Greater Manchester, to improve a small piece of land that was previously used as a walk through.

The cash boost was part of funding set aside to mark GMP’s 40th anniversary which is being celebrated this year.

It is hoped that residents and children from schools in the area will be able to enjoy the site and help to maintain the land. A plan has been created by a landscape gardener.

The work is planned to take place between Cawdor Walk and Cawdor Court on the Campbell Court estate.

Dean Goodwin, aged 24, was banned from entering Campbell Court and Cawdor Court in February after selling drugs from a home where he was not a registered tenant.

Bolton at Home evicted tenants Damian Gaskell, aged 37, and Leanne Davies, aged 29, after running into arrears and after police received complaints of anti-social behaviour.

Mr Lloyd said: “This is exactly the kind of project that we hoped these grants would support and I am delighted that the residents of Campbell Court are going to see a real benefit to the area.

“The funding is modest, but it really does show how a little can go a long way.

“But the real success story is how residents have worked with their local policing team to deal with the problems that have blighted their area.

“The garden will be a physical manifestation of real community spirit and will be something that local people will be able to enjoy for a long time to come.”

Grants have also benefited other areas of Greater Manchester.

PC Ian Roby, from Bolton South Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “I put forward the idea on the back of the enforcement in the area so police could give something back to the residents.

“It’s a plot of land that’s quite prominent on the estate as it gets a lot of foot traffic.

“It will just be nice to see instead of an area that used to have rubbish on it that people complained about. Hopefully it will be a focal point that requires low level maintenance. We are hoping the land will help people engage with children at an early age and get them to respect the area.”

Residents are invited to Farnworth UCAN in Campbell Street, Farnworth on Wednesday, July 2, at 6pm to discuss the small garden.