A SCHEME to develop Kingsway Park has been given a major boost after scooping more than £50,000 through a television public vote.

Supporters picked up their phones and voted en masse to propel the project to victory in Granada Reports' People's Millions competition.

Put forward by the Friends of Kingsway Park, Trafford council and RedRose Forest, the bid faced stiff competition from a proposal for a cycle track in Burnley.

But on Friday the news came through that they had scooped the £53,500 Lottery funding, which will go towards giving the Davyhulme park a major face lift.

Dawn McConnell, secretary of the Friends group, said: "It was absolutely gobsmacking. It was brilliant news and I think it is going to be excellent for the area. It will really give a big wow factor to the area and people will be able to see we are moving forward."

Kevin Wigley, green streets project officer at RedRose Forest, said: "We are absolutely over the moon. It's brilliant news. The community group has been working on this for so long so it is great that we have now secured this funding."

The money will be used to improve access, playgrounds and for tree and wildflower planting including a carpet of poppies.

The red flowers, along with educational signage and possibly a sculpture would also mark the historical significance of the site, which housed an anti-aircraft battery and prisoner of war camps during the 1939-1945 conflict.

Security measures to prevent motorbikes and other vehicles going onto the land are also being considered.

A tree planting session began yesterday (Wednesday) with children from nearby Davyhulme Junior School and a local residents day is also scheduled for Saturday.