RESIDENTS headed for the polls to have their say on where £15,000 to tackle anti-social behaviour in New Bury should go.

Four projects went before the Dragons' Den style event at the weekend and two managed to secure funding.

More than 50 people attended St James' High School, Farnworth, for it and anyone from the age of ten upwards was able to use the polling booth to help decide where the cash should go.

Farnworth Parents Group managed to secure first place in the vote and got the £1,000 it had asked for and New Bury Youth came second and got £14,000 of the £15,000 it had asked for.

The parents group money will go towards putting cooking classes on for children and also for a day trip.

New Bury Youth puts on activities and sports for the children and the money will help it do this and pay for equipment and refreshments.

It rose out of the ashes of the youth club in the area, which closed last summer.

£10,000 of the money has been seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act and the other £5,000 has come from Bolton Council's community safety budget.

New Bury was identified as the area of Bolton with the highest level of anti-social behaviour and so the money was chosen to go there.

The event was organised by Sergeant Alex Metcalfe, from GMP's Bolton borough.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted. It is a fantastic result. They are two really really worthwhile projects that work really hard to reduce anti-social behaviour in New Bury.

"It will make such a difference. When the youth club closed last summer straight away we saw a rise in anti-social behaviour. It has reduced dramatically since the youth group started.

He thanked everyone who helped make the event happen and contribute to making New Bury a better and safer place.

The other two project to present to the audience were Hideaway Community Garden, which was asking for £150 and Prime Sports which wanted £6,500.

The council has agreed to fund the money requested by the garden and Prime Sports will be working with New Bury Youth to see if they can work together.

Margaret Kay found of Farnwoths Parents Group said they were happy to win and there was strong competition.

Hideaway Community Garden (£150), Prime Sports (£6,500)