ATHERTON Councillor Martin Aldred has been getting his hands dirty in a bid to improve local green spaces.

Councillors Martin and Karen Aldred, along with local volunteers, have made recent improvements to green space near St Philip’s CE Primary School in Atherton.

Businesses Moss Bank Nurseries Ltd in Leigh donated more than £100 worth of plants, shrubs and flowers for the community project which involved volunteers litter-picking, weeding and tidying before planting the shrubs and flowers to spruce up the area.

Cllr Martin Aldred said “It’s great to work on projects like this and it really enhances the area for local families to enjoy.

"We welcome local residents and schools to get involved as these areas will need to be maintained, this could open more doors towards funding and community events.

"This is an ongoing project which we are hoping local residents and school children can get involved with and make our community spirit grow with an environmental area that could be entered in local and national environmental awards."