A PATCH of derelict land is to be opened up as a safe haven for children after undergoing a £30,000 Ground Force-style makeover.

Workmen are currently putting the finishing touches to the former disused water lodge, off Watery Lane, Darwen, which was refurbished in a bid to stamp out juvenile nuisance in the area.

Members of the Lodgeside Trust Residents' Association, made up of residents from the Whitehall area of Darwen, have spent the last three years working with local children campaigning for the scheme to get the go-ahead and it was only made possible after council bosses chipped in with a cash donation.

At a cost of about £30,000 Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has given the site makeover with the installation of drainage pipes, goalposts and a basketball hoop, as well as re-seeding the grass. There are also plans to install a number of benches.

Residents have planned to open the activity area with a grand summer open day and appealed for anyone who would like to take part to come forward.

They are looking for local charities to lease stalls at £5 each and any talented clowns or magicians who would like to volunteer their services on the event on Sunday, September 2.

Rita Billington, secretary of the trust, said: "The land has been a mess for quite a while. It used to be an old mill lodge and it was eventually filled in but it never drained and it was like a big bog so they children couldn't play on it.

"We were having a lot of problems with juvenile nuisance so the residents got together to give them somewhere to play. We got enough signatures on petitions and begged the council to do something with it. The children have been involved with it all the way through and they were the ones that took the petitions round to people's houses and attended our meetings to tell us what they wanted.

"Hopefully now it will keep the children off the streets and give them somewhere where they can all hang out together. We would like to give local charities the opportunity to do some fundraising at our open day and hope the event will be a success."

Darren Bell, from Blackburn with Darwen Council's landscape services unit, said: "We consulted with local people to see what sort of facilities they wanted for the area.

"As a result we have resurfaced the footpath, installed lighting and provided an kickabout facility and activity area. We have also provided drainage." If you would like to help at the open day or have a stall call Rita on 07974 867914.