A COMMUNITY initiative aimed at improving a plot of land in Rossendale has been given a boost thanks to a £3,500 grant.

The money was donated to Cloughfold Recreation Action Group by the Countryside Agency, as part of the Government's New Opportunities Fund to develop the land off Hareholme Lane, near Lee Bank.

The money is to be used to consult with local residents on how they think the land can be improved for public use.

Organisers hope the money for the Doorstep Green Project will lead to funding worth £50,000 from the agency to landscape the area.

Christine Lomax, secretary of Cloughfold Rec Action Group, said they are going to run a competition in local schools to help come up with new ideas.

Newchurch Primary and Cloughfold Primary School pupils are to to be given their say on how they think the area could be improved.

Christine said: "We are going to ask the two local schools to run an art competition in class so that children can give us their thoughts without any preconceived ideas.

"We want to keep the recreation ground as an area of open space which can be developed to make it more attractive to users. We are hoping the children will come up with lots of different ideas, telling us what they would like to see happen.

"The land is owned by the council, therefore it's the people's facility and we want to enhance that to make it a better place.

"Once we get our plans together we can apply for the £50,000 grant, which will give us even more scope to develop the land.

"I would urge anybody who has any thoughts or ideas on how the money should be spent to contact me."

Anybody with any ideas should contact Christine on 01706 217083.