JUNIOR 'experts' are using their first hand knowledge to draw up improvement plans for a Hale park.

The go-getting quartet are working on upgrade schemes for Stamford Park, which will be studied by leisure services bosses at the council.

Fourteen-year-olds Richard Morgan and Ben Hamman along with brothers Matthew and Thomas Palmer, aged 13 and 11 - recently met council chief Cllr Jane Baugh.

She was so impressed with their ideas she asked them to draw up their plans.

And they are currently working on a blueprint which includes a roller skate area, lighting throughout the park and more and better maintained paths.

Cllr Baugh says she was particularly impressed with the youngsters' commitment to providing facilities for everyone - not just their own age group.

Richard, who along with Ben is a pupil at Green Lane High School, says: "We use the park every day and while it is quite good we believe there are a lot of improvements that can be made.

"It is important that there should be facilities for everyone, including the elderly and disabled people. We need better access for a start because some of the paths are quite muddy and slippery."

The friends first brought their ideas to Cllr Baugh's attention when Ben and Richard were among a group of young people who attended a council meeting as part of a town hall drive to listen to youngsters' views.

And she then arranged a fact-finding meeting at the park with the pair, joined by Matthew, from Altrincham Grammar School, and Altrincham Preparatory School pupil Thomas.

Cllr Baugh, Trafford council's cabinet member for youth, arts, leisure and sport development, says: "I am absolutely delighted with their efforts - they really care about their local park, not only for themselves but for everyone.

"The boys have been given a map of the park and are going to carry out an audit and outline what facilities they would like to see and what the problems are.

"And who better to tell us what the park needs than these youngsters who use it all the time."

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