FAMILIES in Farnworth will be able to enjoy a new “green play area” thanks to a £48,000 lottery cash boost.

Highfield Community Centre has been given the cash to transform an overgrown patch of land at the back of the centre to be enjoyed by families in the local area.

The grant came from Bolton Council’s Groundwork Team, which is backed by the Big Lottery Fund.

Centre manager Colleen Thornley said: “It has taken 18 months of hard work to achieve the grant by fundraising and lots of form filling, but it has been worth it.

“At the moment the land at the rear of the community centre is disheveled and overgrown and attracts a lot of anti-social behaviour.

“We believe this new play area will help decrease these problems by giving people of the community a sense of pride and will allow them to see that they can make a difference to their everyday places.”

However, the money will not be released until the team which runs the community centre can agree a new lease on their current building.

The centre previously had a rent-free agreement with the council, but this has now changed and negotiations are ongoing.

Mrs Thornley said: “It is a worrying situation.

“It is bitter-sweet at the moment, as the grant money will only be released when we sort out the lease, but hopefully all will be resolved when the negotiations have been completed.”

The centre provides karate lessons, dance classes, exercise classes, table tennis and a child care facility.

The Bolton Art Circle also holds workshops at the centre.

The centre also holds fundraising days and applies for charity grants that have seen the team improve the building with new wiring, and new windows and doors.