SALE Moor has received a spruce up - thanks to a youth group and the neighbourhood wardens.

Members of the Villa Project and the wardens backed a 'cleaner streets' initiative to make the area spick and span.

The youngsters were divided into five clean-up teams, each led by a neighbourhood warden and given a patch in Sale Moor to tidy up.

Armed with overalls, gloves and litter picking tools, the teams got stuck into the task. As a reward for their efforts, the young people who took part will be treated to a day out at Alton Towers, funded through the Villa Project and the Children's Fund.

The estate clean up day was part of a wider neighbourhood partnership approach to tackling the issues that affect residents in Sale Moor. A host of groups - including Trafford council, the police, health bodies, the Villa Project and community representatives - have been working together to develop a framework for delivering services that meet the needs of local people. This partnership group will be undertaking a series of consultation events to develop a Sale Moor neighbourhood action plan aimed at addressing local problems with long term solutions.

Sale Moor will also benefit from a new local service facility that will be launched as a pilot project by the end of this year. The local service facility will operate from a shop on Norris Road and become a focal point where local people can access a range of services from the council, the police, the NHS and the voluntary sector.

Dave Galvin, the head of area services in Sale, said: "The estate clean up day is an excellent example of what can be achieved when different agencies work together to tackle common issues. Both the young people from Sale Moor and the neighbourhood wardens have thoroughly enjoyed working together on this initiative.

"This project is the beginning of a new partnership approach whereby local services work with the community to solve issues in Sale Moor."

l COUNCIL chiefs have pledged to take action to improve the latest batch of Grotspots highlighted to the Messenger campaign.

They include areas covered by the Sale Moor clean up; a passage between St Martin's Road and St Martin's Church, Ashton on Mersey; Denmark Street West car park, Altrincham; and Grosvenor Road, Altrincham.

Court Leet members have highlighted the overgrown and litter strewn state of Altrincham interchange - which has been featured in Grotspots before. A council spokesman promised to contact the rail companies responsible for the interchange, and to tidy up the council's paths leading to the station.

l Litter problems can be reported to the council through Trafford Direct on 912 2000, which provides information and help on a range of council services.

We want our readers to continue to let us know about grotspots - please WRITE to Grotspots, Messenger, Ashton Lane, Sale M33 6TP; or FAX on 908 3403. Give precise locations and say if you would not want your name included in an article.