DJ GRANNIES and their neighbours who set up a community radio station to boost the confidence of local youngsters have been rewarded.

Oldhams Residents' Association's Oldhams Radio won the Community Award at the 2004 Bolton At Home Awards, held at the Town Hall on Monday.

The group - all residents of the Oldhams Estate in Astley Bridge - set up their own radio station for a three-day period as a way of encouraging youngsters to join in community activities and help increase their self-confidence.

The short-term project was first broadcast from the Oldhams Estate housing office in September, 2002 and following its success, was repeated in May, 2003.

Sandra Schofield, aged 52, and Kath Kelly, aged 58, were known as the DJ Grannies. Sandra said: "We decided we wanted to do something in the community and this seemed a perfect idea.

"It was also a good way to bring people together and build their self-confidence. We had 24 DJs and 14 of those were children aged between seven and 14.

"Winning this award is great, as it means recognition for the work we have done for the community."

Runners up for the community award were Friends of Sunnyside Park for their work on improving the Moisant Street park in Great Lever.

Group member Christine Meadwell said: "We spent 18 months researching what the people in the area wanted to see, then another 18 months putting into place the new all-weather football pitch, BMX track and a new play area for the children.

"It's great to have our hard work recognised, but there is still a lot we want to do yet!"

As reported in yesterday's Bolton Evening News, the awards also saw Jeanette and David Pennington crowned as Bolton's Neighbours from Heaven after being nominated by Elizabeth Johnson shortly before she died of cancer last year.