YOU'LL get by with a little help from your friends - or at least a group of youngsters in Preston will as they enjoy a new state-of-the-art play area.

Children from the Hartington Road area, Preston, have in recent years been the bane of local bowlers as they kicked balls around their green because they had nowhere else to go.

Now, after a near-£100,000 investment from the National Lottery, Preston council and North British Housing - and advice from three of their sports-mad friends - they have an ideal all-weather pitch.

The development came after local teenagers Pritesh Pattni, Chandra Limbachia and Bhavesh Parekh, met with council representatives to tell them what youths in the area wanted and needed.

Council Sports and Recreation boss Norman Rieper said the three 16-year-olds had been heavily involved in what should be a perfect development for everyone. He commented: "The children had nowhere else to play so when the greens weren't being used they would play football, cricket and ride their bikes on there.

"The greens were vandalised, but not deliberately. There were never any run-ins between bowlers and the youths.

"But the bowlers have got their green back and the youngsters have got a pitch."

Lancashire Youth and Community Services were also heavily involved in setting up the project.

The three teenagers were joined at a special opening ceremony by Preston's Chair of Leisure Services, Councillor Rose Kinsella, and Stuart Bailey, Regional Officer for the English Sports Council.

Preston council's sports development team are holding basketball taster sessions on the new court over the next few weeks. As the evenings get darker they move to West View Leisure Centre. For information call 01772 704002.

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