PEOPLE in Bude are being invited to enjoy a fun day at the Hillhead play area in St Peter's Road, Stratton on Tuesday, May 26 to celebrate the work of the local junior park rangers in keeping play areas free of litter.

The event, which is being organised by Cornwall Council's Street Scene, will take place between 11am and 3pm. It will include the opportunity to try out a range of play activities, including hoola hooping and stilt walking and painting flowers, kindly donated by Brooks Garden Centre, Stratton. The organisers also hope to offer people the chance to build their own bird box.

"The aim of the fun day is to celebrate the work of the junior park rangers and their volunteer supervisors, and to say a big thank you to them for their hard work in keeping their play areas litter free," said Denise Taylor, Senior Street Ranger for Cornwall Council.

"We will also be asking parents and local residents to tell us what they would like to see in their local play areas so we can help support the community in delivering this."

The junior park rangers scheme was set up by Denise and Bude Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Jo Wilson, from Devon and Cornwall Police. The aim is tackle problems of litter and promote positive behaviour in play areas in Bude. Other partners include Com­munity Action Through Sports (CATS), Bude Youth Project, and Volunteer Cornwall.

Under the scheme young people work with local PCSOs, street rangers and members of the local community to keep play areas free of litter, thereby reducing the problems caused by vandalism, graffiti and underage drinking.

"Our aim is to encourage young people to act as ambassadors to spread the message to their friends of the value of these play areas to the community and wildlife and to emphasise the damage that vandalism and litter does to their peers," said Denise. "We want them to feel that they have some ownership of their play areas and to work with their friends and family to look after their local ­environment."

"We also want to increase the numbers taking part in active sport and recreation and young people who take part in the scheme are rewarded with the opportunity to take part in sports activities and training."