A COMMUNITY group which raised thousand to fight a controversial development plan is running its final fundraiser of the year.

The Hulton Estate Area Residents Together group (HEART) campaigned to stop plans to build housing and a golf course on Hulton Park.

As the group awaits a decision, members are hoping to make a final push with a Christmas fair to pay the experts they hired for the public inquiry into the Peel L&P plans.

Sandra Hesketh, of the HEART group, said: “We are delighted that the secretary of state called for a public inquiry as we have now had a very fair and independent review.

“We had an excellent team of our barrister and two independent witnesses. We raised almost £40,000 to fund the costs. Our barrister has been paid but we are a couple thousand short for our expert witness costs.

“We are holding our last fund raising event of the year to try and raise as much towards that as we can.

The HEART Christmas Fayre will take place on Sunday from noon until 4pm at the Over Hulton Conservative Club.

Father Christmas will be making a appearance and there will plenty of stalls with hand grafted gifts perfect for the festive season.

Entrance is 50p for adults, with children going free.

Mrs Hesketh said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who donated time, energy and funds. Your generosity is overwhelming.”