FAIRGROUND workers will have a battle on their hands if they are planning on visiting Red Bank Field this year.

Determined pensioner Mrs Muriel Waddington has launched a New Year's offensive and has vowed to do all she can to stop the fair from "churning up" the field and leaving a mess behind them.

"I know it's going to make me very unpopular, but I don't care," said Mrs Waddington, who is secretary of Bolton Road Tenants' and Residents' Association.

"Last year's carnival was the final straw. When the fair left, the field looked like it had been ploughed, it was in a terrible state," she said.

Deep ruts were made in the grass and oil and paint were left on the field, which was eventually cleaned up by Bury Council.

Mrs Waddington added: "Dog walkers are responsible for cleaning up after them so why not the fair?"

She intends to launch a petition calling for Red Bank Field to be deemed out of bounds for fairgrounds in the future. They presently make about three visits a year.

"That field should be for the quiet recreation of people in the area. A lot of pensioners live near it and I'm sure they do not enjoy having music belted out when the fair is in town."