A clean-up has been held at a set of Oldham playing fields in an effort to revitalise the pitches for people in the community.

The clean-up, which was led by MP for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton, Jim McMahon, saw dozens of people cleaning up litter and vegetation, such as branches and leaves, at the playing fields on West End Street, Coldurst.

The pitches were invested in during the late 1990s to create a community hub, where young people could come together for recreational activity without needing to bear the costs associated with a private club.

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However, according to Mr McMahon, maintenance of the pitches has declined in recent years despite the efforts of the community to make use of the pitches.

Mr McMahon said: "I’d like to thank those from Oldham Council who co-ordinated our clean-up event at the pitches on West End Street and to all those who volunteered to help out, including community organisations, Rowan Ashworth, Tilbury Douglas, Orange Skips North West and Clear Watch Security.

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"After visiting in August to discuss how the site could be put to better use and be revitalised to how it was under the last Labour government, we decided to take the initiative and start the work to clean the pitches to make them more viable as a hub for the surrounding neighbourhoods.

"Local Labour councillors have been working tirelessly to bring our vision to fruition. We want this great facility to be refurbished and then, with community ownership being a priority of mine at the recent general election, have it put in the hands of local people.

"We are committed to securing this site in the long term as an asset by, for, and of the local community."