The Lancashire Evening Post has launched a clear-up campaign to rid Preston's parks of their shameful image.

As part of the campaign the paper has launched a Parkwatch phoneline for readers to monitor public spaces, and it is also backing Preston Council's bid for lottery funding to provide better lighting, tighter security and a park ranger scheme.

The moves follow a catalogue of assaults, robberies and muggings which has left many too frightened to visit their local parks, which are a haven for drug users.

The campaign and phoneline have been welcomed by Preston police, the council and community leaders.

Pat Morgan, branch manager of Preston Victim Support, said: "We welcome any initiatives or campaigns which would improve the parks of Preston, in particular extra lighting and CCTV cameras."

Chief Insp Bob Helm, from Preston's community safety department, added: "If there's anything that can be done to make these places safer we must look towards pursuing these actions."

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