A FORMER dumping ground in Accrington has been turned into a play area and community garden designed by local people.

The top of Park Street was an eyesore used for fly-tipping and general rubbish dumping before the West Accrington Residents Association stepped in to do something about it.

After contacting Hyndburn Borough Council , who own the land, and Groundwork East Lancashire plans were set in motion to transform the site into an area to be proud of.

Children from Hyndburn Park Primary School and residents assisted with designs and 18 months and £37,000 later the site is completed.

The former grot-spot now features low ground play equipment, seating areas, a basketball hoop, plants and a community noticeboard.

Representatives of the funding bodies, Lancashire Waste Service Lancashire Environment Fund, Barclays Sitesavers, Surestart Hyndburn, Hyndburn Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, were at the official launch along with residents, councillors and contractors.

During the launch children were given tips on basketball from a trained coach while their original designs for cut out animals, which appear around the fencing to the area, were admired in the school hall.

Rebecca Smith, of Groundwork East Lancashire, said: "Previously it was just an open place used as a dumping ground. Residents wanted it to be transformed into something the children could use."

Joan Pilkington, secretary for the West Accrington Residents' Association, said: "There was nowhere for people to sit before - or for the children to play safely so we came up with these plans. The children and Hyndburn Park School have been fantastic and the residents are thrilled."