WHEN a bench at the side of a busy road was damaged by a car, local schoolchildren flocked to the rescue.

The youngsters from Smithills School were particularly upset as the bench was frequently used by a local character who they had nicknamed Tommy the birdman, who loved to sit there and feed the birds.

Now, thanks to their efforts, the bench at the top of Smithills Dean Road has been replaced.

And this week Tommy was there to reclaim his favourite spot and meet some of the youngsters who had helped with the fundraising drive.

The bench was used for eight years by the elderly gentleman who likes to walk from Halliwell to the top of Smithills Dean Road three times a week, filling bird feeders and coconut shells which he funded from his own pension and installed along the route.

But during the Christmas holidays last year, the bench Tommy would sit on after his long walks was destroyed in a road accident, leaving nowhere for him to rest and wave to passers-by.

In an appeal for donations to replace the bench, youngsters at Smithills School said that Tommy, who lives alone, gets a lot of pleasure from feeding the birds and the routine gives him a reason to get up every morning.

With the help of the local community, pupils managed to raise £1,393 for a new bench to be fitted.

On Monday, Tommy met two students who, together with their classmates, raised £58 by selling homemade cakes and cookies to the rest of the school.

Year Nine student Abigail Colderley said: “We all felt very sad that the council wouldn’t help him, so we decided to take it into our own hands.”

Her classmate Libby Thistlethwaite added: “It felt really good to help someone in our community.”

Deborah Tonge, the school's home school liaison officer, thanked all those who donated to the cause.

She said: “We can honestly say that we have been amazed by the response and the generosity and support from the community.”

A new bench, featuring the original dedication to a family from Halliwell and an additional plaque saying, “Tommy’s Bench”, was finally installed earlier this month.

Pupils also raised enough money to buy bird food for the next six months and donated a further £600 to the RSCPCA at Tommy’s request.

Tommy thanked Smithills School, Bolton All Starz and the local community for contributing towards the bench as well as The Bolton News for covering the story at the time.

In a letter to the school, he said: “I could not be more delighted with the new one plus the new plaque, I am totally overwhelmed!”

Head teacher Mr Sidebottom said: “Smithills School is a proud member of the community and our children and staff will always work together to ensure that we support each other.”