IT'S been a tall order for residents of Winsford's Crook Lane and Wharton Gardens Estate but they are finally celebrating the completion of work on the Bradbury Road Sports Area.

So who better to open the park than basketball giant Alan Bannister, Britain's tallest sportsman, who led Friday's fun day festivities.

Work began a year ago when the Crook Lane and Wharton Gardens Residents' Association teamed up with building firm Groundwork Macclesfield and Vale Royal and Vale Royal Borough Council to transform the play area.

In March they received an award of £8,000 from Barclays Sitesavers and with further cash boosts from Groundwork, the borough council and WINCAP, the project came on in leaps and bounds over the summer.

Children's ideas and designs are now on the ground with a cycle and rollerblade track and basketball post. And as this is only the first part of the park, there will be more to come, with a sports pitch due to be finished and funds still to be raised for play equipment.

Peter Heberlet, Groundwork's programme manager, said: "The residents and children of Crook Lane have done a fantastic job transforming this area of land into something they can be proud of.

"Working with the residents' group, youth club and Willow Wood School made it obvious that people were concerned that children in the area had a place to play and get exercise.

"Projects like this show that local people can make a real difference to their immediate environment and quality of life with help from others. Now is an appropriate time to celebrate what has been achieved to date."

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