COUNCILLORS are backing plans to improve parks and green spaces after a spate of vandalism

Barlow Park, Astley Bridge Park and Andrew Lane Park have been the subject of ongoing anti-social behaviour, including drug and alcohol usage and vandals setting fires.

Astley Bridge ward councillor John Walsh was park of a public forum in November, during which the issue of damage to green spaces was raised.

He said police had been more active in the area since the problems were brought to them last year, but says public interest organisations such as the Friends of Astley Bridge group have been looking to raise funds to improve the parks with new flower beds and improved facilities.

"One of the things that's a concern is that our parks - Astley Bridge Park and Andrew Lane Park - are tired and in need of refurbishment," he said.

"When there's nothing for people to do, we then get problems of anti-social behaviour. If you can make them more active make them moire open and welcoming it hopefully raises the potential of people using these parks and gets people into them more regularly."

Cllr Walsh also pointed to the recent release of Bolton Council's public realm funding, which was allocated based on deprivation and focused heavily on areas such as Halliwell, Farnworth, Crompton and Breightmet and offered relatively little money to Astley Bridge.

He said: "Given that the council are not funding us we will be looking at funding from other organisations, charities for example, and whatever else might be available. We think that's something that's going to be the way forward for us."