WORK on a new community garden and enclosed children's play area at St Philip's Family Centre, in Leeds Road, Nelson, is now under way.

Centre manager, Ian Hirst, said: "This is an exciting project that will benefit the local community in Bradley, providing new opportunities and new facilities.

"It will make a big improvement to the appearance of the church grounds. There is a real shortage of play facilities for local children."

Funding for the development of the gardens has already been agreed by Pendle Partnership from its regeneration programmes. Support for the project has also been provided by Groundwork East Lancashire.

Andy Wilson, of Pendle Partnership, said: "This is just what the area needs - I am delighted that work has now started on the project. The family centre has been a great success."

The former church currently provides subsidised childcare and family support funded by Pendle Partnership's Single Regeneration Budget and European Regional Development Fund programmes.