A REGENERATION scheme is planning to breathe new life into a park with a reputation for attracting youngsters taking drugs and alcohol.

Youth and community workers are bidding for a £35,000 grant to build an activities centre at Bewsey Park and develop it as a family attraction.

Volunteer youth worker Lesley Stockton is angry that Bewsey Park has a poor reputation after positive efforts to increase its use over the summer.

She said: "The arrest of a number of known drug dealers in the area has had a positive effect.

"The summer has seen a full range of activities for youngsters. There is nowhere else for children to go so it is a valuable asset.

"There have been a few incidents with lads and girls playing on the greens and surrounding buildings. But these are the ones who are spoiling the fact that we are trying to clean up the park."

If the money is raised, the revamped park would have facilities for football, basketball, netball, cricket and tennis and a seating area for spectators.

Community worker Dave Etoch is helping to put the bid together. He said: "In the past we have had problems with different groups of young people using the park in a less than constructive way. But the plan is to develop the park as a community facility where different groups can co-exist.

"We want to show young people that we have their interests in our minds. This will be the first step in making the park more accessible for not only them but also for families.

"By making one or two improvements we can start to encourage people to have pride in their park."

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