ATHERTON residents took it upon themselves to unblock their own grids following the recent floods.

James Hunt, Friends of Atherton Parks chairman, said: “I have been looking at the Atherton Park flooding issues and with all the news about Lilford Park having meetings with the local MP to solve the issues, I wondered if we would ever get some help.

“Then, during an organised event, independent councillor Jamie Hodgkinson and Atherton Residents Association chairman Stuart Gerrard just shoved their hands down the grids and unblocked them. It was quite funny because the residents started cheering.

“I ask all members of the Friends of Atherton Parks to come to the events as residents only, but sometimes it’s rewarding to see that you get value for money from your local councillor.”