FARNWORTH youngsters enjoyed a "swinging" time when parents and residents unveiled their newly-created play area.

Neighbours in the All Saints area of Moses Gate were sick of the local children being "bored to tears" and decided it was time to do something about it.

They took matters into their own hands and little more than a year later, the end results were there for all to see.

Members of the All Saints Residents' Association and Home Watch joined neighbours, local councillors and council representatives to witness the opening of the park in Hall Lane.

A school choir from All Saints also joined in, singing two songs to mark the ceremony.

The official opening ceremony was carried out by its unofficial "caretaker", six-year-old Ryan Horrocks, who cut the ribbon.

Secretary of All Saints Residents' Association, Mrs June Booth, explained: "We had to have Ryan doing something to mark the occasion. From day one he has taken a keen interest.

"He was there with his own digger truck 'helping' the workmen. He would take them out jam tarts and cakes, and even assisted them to sweep up."

Residents in the area began to work towards creating the play area in response to the number of bored youngsters.

Mrs Booth said: "Lots of good things were being done to improve the area, but there was nothing for the children.

"We were told about the Percentage for Arts scheme and built up our own booklet to explain what we wanted to achieve and approached them for a grant." The association was awarded £25,000 and thanks to further money from housing, leisure and landscape departments, the amount was boosted to £40,000.

However, just three weeks before the park was due to be completed, new legislation on play areas was introduced throwing original plans into turmoil.

Mrs Booth added: "The legislation meant pieces of equipment had to be further apart from each other. As a result we have taken one lot of swings out and will be replacing them with springy animals for younger children to sit on."

These, together with ceramic bricks bearing designs by local schoolchildren are expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

June added: "I feel really pleased with what we have achieved here. The looks on the kids faces have been the perfect reward for all the work which has gone into it."

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