HOLLINS residents have been "bowled over" after scooping a cash windfall to help return a disused sports amenity to the community.

Work is to begin within three weeks to restore the Hollins Vale community bowling green after the project received a £25,000 Barclays Spaces for Sports grant. The remaining £7,000 of the costs will be met by Bury Council.

As part of the two-month project to restore the bowling green to its former glory, residents will be working with environmental charity Groundwork Bury.

Villagers will be involved throughout from design to the creation of flowerbeds and installation of security fences.

The project is in association with Bury Council and Hollins Village Community Association.

Not only will the scheme encourage people to take up the sport and improve their health, it will also bring them together and strengthen community spirit. The project will provide coaching kit and equipment to encourage residents to take part and get the most out of the new facilities.

Project manager Jane Worthington, of Bury Groundwork Trust, said: "Our experience shows that people really value the opportunity to have a say in improving their neighbourhoods and make them better places to live, work and play. Getting involved in these projects gives people confidence and makes us all feel proud of where we live."

Groundwork also hope to involve pupils at Hollins Grundy Primary School in the restoration.

Christine Martindale, regional communications manager for Barclays, said: "Spaces for Sports will create hundreds of new sports sites up and down the country. Our aim is to have a significant and long-lasting impact on local communities."