GREENMOUNT'S Village Green will be transformed as part of a £105,000 scheme.

An upgraded children's play area as well as a pond, picnic area and path have been included in designs for the green space beside Greenmount Cricket Club.

MP for Bury North James Frith and Mayor Dorothy Gunther are among the confirmed special guests at the park's grand opening ceremony in May this year.

Chairman Alistair Waddell said: "We are very excited for work to begin at the site on Monday, February 12.

"A total of £25,000 worth of play equipment has already been delivered. Things are really taking shape.

"The old equipment will be pulled out to make way for two separate play areas.

"Unfortunately the cost of the overall scheme has had to be reduced by £20,000 which has meant certain features had been lost.

"We are very interested to hear from anyone who might be able to sponsor a picnic bench, park bench, flag pole or other items which would enhance the site."

More than 100 residents turned out to the monthly Greenmount Village Community (GVC) meeting on Thursday, February 1, when the scheme was announced.

Under plans, the park will be separated into an under sevens and over sevens section, with suitable play equipment for each age group.

It is hoped a natural play area with willow structures can be designed to make the park visually appealing.

There will also be a path around the circumference of the green, for wheelchair users and pushchairs, as well as a pond and boardwalk.

The community scheme can finally progress thanks to a decision by Viridor Credits to pledge a grant of £49,999.13.

A further £8,000 has been donated by Tesco, and the remaining monies have been awarded via Bury Council's Section 106 Grant Funding - available to community organisations operation on a not-for-profit basis - of which £25,000 must be repaid, and money raised by GVC.

The site was called the Naylor’s Field until 2015 when the name was changed to Greenmount Village Green.

A new sign was unveiled as part of a renaming ceremony at the village party in May 2015.

The grand opening ceremony for this new project will be held on Monday, May 7 at 1.30pm.