SWANS came out to celebrate a Spring spruce-up at Firs Park.

And the Leigh park's User Group members joined them on a sunny Saturday to see the difference a winter of hard work has made to the park lake and surrounding area.

A new footpath, tree and shrub planting and general clean-up has revitalised the recreation area and further plans have been given the thumbs-up by locals.

User group chairman Jim Croft, explained:"We are trying to instill community pride in the park and increase its value as an attraction.

"We aim to make it somewhere that is pleasant to sit for older people and with fun attractions like a sand pit and a roller blade area for the young.

"The RSPCA and community police are involved and work has been carried out thanks to grant aid."

Local Cllr Brian Thomas, pictured below with User Group members, said:"It's looking great - the result of a lot of hard work by people determined to improve their environment.

"New trees and low shrubs were specially chosen and planted while unsuitable trees and shrubs, which could have posed a safety menace, have been removed.

"When the time is right we'll be involving youngsters in a bulb planting session."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.