THE Friends of Sunnyhurst Woods are celebrating a successful first year.

Plans to breathe new life into the woods have been hailed a great success since the group set up last January.

Chairman Dennis Gillibrand, 67, says he is delighted with items on the 'wish list' which have been carried out, as well as the success of the summer gala - which attracted some 2,500 people -- and the group's social evening

He said the group formed because they felt the woods had fallen into disrepair.

It has 110 members and 21 committee members, all dedicated to the ensuring the well-being and upkeep of the woods.

Mr Gillibrand added said: "People came from all over Lancashire to see these woods as they has a reputation of outstanding natural beauty but the paths were becoming impassable.

"We have now raised about £8,000 and are pumping it back into the location."

He said the woods had suffered years of neglect and at first it was hard getting people's support as no one knew who the group was. "But people know us now and it has opened so many doors. We've had a super year."

Mr Gillibrand said Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council had carried out extensive remedial work on paths in the woods which were becoming impassable.

He said: "Thanks go to countryside officer Nick Wyatt and parks manager Andy Wood for introducing this rolling repair programme for the paths."

Sponsorship by local companies has enabled the group to buy benches for the woods.

The Crown 2001 Community Awards donated £350, the Daniel Thwaites Charitable Trust gave £500 and the Herbert Parkinson Charity Committee donated £300.

Next year's project to celebrate the park's centenary is to restore its drinking fountain, which was given to the people of Darwen in 1907.

This ambitious project will cost around £3,500 and is to be rebuilt following donations from the John Fretwork Leach charity, the WM and BW Lloyd charity and Blackburn Regeneration Partnership.

There are also plans to build a children's playground and the group is hopeful its application, which is being handled by the government agency Sure Start, will be successful.

Mr Gillibrand said: "I would like to thank the FOSW committee for their support during the year and also all the people who have shown interest in both the recreational and group activities, including Coun Dave Smith, Sue Reid and Dave Hollings and special activities manger Mark Lee."

The group's success is also inspiring the town's newest park's supporters group, the Bold Venture Parks Supporters Group.Mr Gillibrand has already given the group tips to ensure its success.