FOOTBALL mania will hit Whitefield on Tuesday (June 1) with a fun-packed day in Victoria Park.

A new state-of-the-art ball zone will be launched and there will be activities for children to take part in throughout the afternoon.

The £50,000 ball zone has been jointly funded by Bury Council's Cleaner, Safer, Greener initiative (£20,000), the parks and countryside department (£15,000) and Pilsworth Environmental Company (£15,000), as part of a larger regeneration of Victoria Park.

Special guests at the official launch, starting at 2.30pm, will be Bury FC mascot Robbie the Bobby and the Mayor of Bury, Councillor Wilf Davison.

After the formalities there will be a full programme of games and activities, including football, basketball, tennis, tag rugby, badminton, rounders and bean bag games.

Bury's youth service will be on hand to offer health advice and the new park ranger for Whitefield, Phil Roe, will be organising craft activities and information on wildlife. Representatives from the dog wardens will also be offering advice on responsible dog ownership.

Louise Robbins, from Bury Council's Sports Development team, said: "This is just a taster for the summer when multi-sports will take place every Tuesday afternoon in Victoria Park. Youngsters taking part don't need any previous experience, so they can just come and join in the fun."

The Victoria Park ball zone is just the latest facility to be provided in partnership between Whitefield and Unsworth Area Board and the council's parks and countryside services.

Rose De, area co-ordinator for Whitefield and Unsworth said: "Providing high quality facilities for young people is a key priority for the area board. It's part of investing in young people and creating sustainable communities."

Other ball zones in Whitefield include, Whitefield Park, Hathaway Road, and Thatch Leach Lane.

A ball zone in St Mary's Park, Prestwich, was also due to be opened last night (Thursday May 28), with special guest, Manchester City footballer Trevor Sinclair.