A COMMUNITY project which successfully transformed a piece of land frequently blighted by fly-tipping has been boosted.

The Puddle Project, based in Burtonwood, has received a donation of power tools from home improvement retailer Wickes to support the work volunteers do for the special needs community.

The project, at Fearnley Wood on Old Alder Lane, is now a fully sustainable ecological space, with its own renewable energy source to power all buildings and the new tools.

These tools were provided as part of Wickes’ community programme, which aims to support groups and organisations by providing relevant products to assist with essential maintenance, renovation or new projects.

A Puddle Project spokesman said: “A huge thank you must go to Andy and Paul from the Wickes Warrington store, not just for the tools, but more importantly for spending time with us at the project.

“We provide a rural educational facility for those in the community with special needs, helping them to grow and gain confidence through working, building and maintaining the site alongside a dedicated group of volunteers.

“It has taken almost eight years of regeneration to introduce the flora, fauna and wildlife pools onto the site.

“We also have a large community indoor space with a log burner, large outdoor sensory area, on-site parking and toilets, pizza oven, poly tunnel, wood workshop shed, and not forgetting the chickens, ducks and fish.”

Andy Ludgate, store manager at Wickes Warrington, added: “We are passionate about our local community, and when we heard about the Puddle Project, we jumped at the chance to get involved.

“Volunteers set us a challenge to build a raft from packing cases, and the winner got to spend the night on it.

“It was great to be a part of this inspiring project and we look forward to going back.

“We would love to hear from more charities and local community groups to see if we can help improve community spaces, so please do get in touch.”

The Wickes Community Programme is open to all community groups seeking help for improvement projects.

Any groups interested in applying for a donation should head into the Wickes Warrington store, based at Pinners Brow Retail Park, and ask to speak to the store manager.