A PARTNERSHIP is being forged to tidy up Winwick's Radley Common and its surrounding area.

Parish councillors say that the green space has been plagued by vandalism, particularly by quad and motorbikers tearing up the land, but they are hopeful it will soon be restored as a place for families.

After meeting with the Woodland Trust, the charity that owns the adjoining wooded area, a plan to improve accessibility and reduce the number of deliberate fires was devised.

Les Higgins, clerk to Winwick Parish Council, said: "We've had lots of fires in woodland. Normally wood chopped down will be left to rot and create habitats for insects, but kids have been getting in and setting fire to them."

The Woodland Trust is also concerned and has decided to fix fences, to make it difficult for bikes to get in, remove logs and to chip the smaller blocks of wood.

The trust has looked after the Radley plantation since the 1970s, when the New Town was abolished.

Tim Kirwin, Woodland Trust officer for Cheshire and Merseyside, said: "We want people to use the woodland and appreciate it, which is why we have a free access policy but sometimes vandalism is a problem.

"Working with the parish council allows us both to have a vision for the complete site and improve it all together. There is talk of setting up a Friends of Radley Common group and I hope this will come into fruition."

Work on the area will begin when schools re-open.