Three enterprising 12-year-olds have launched a campaign to transform a Pudsey park.

Liam Bennett, Steven Lightfoot and Chris Kirby literally took to the streets to raise £300 which a local councillor has promised he will at least match. Chatsworth recreation ground, in Chatsworth Road, currently has a climbing frame and see-saw but the boys want football nets, a basket ball court, dog bins, a picnic area and new benches to be installed.

They leafleted neighbours to generate sponsorship for their own triathlon which involved a four -mile bike ride to Pudsey swimming pool and clocking up 64 lengths before running from Chatsworth Road to Priesthorpe School which they attend, a distance of around a mile. The trio have also painted the climbing frame and see-saw as well as removing litter and weeds.

They are among 6,000 youngsters taking part in Lifestyle, a West Yorkshire Police scheme running in the Leeds area to keep 11 to 18-year-olds occupied during the summer holidays. Projects are entered in a competition with the chance of winning trips to Florida, France and Wales, as well as vouchers for free meals and the cinema.

Liam, who lives near the recreation ground, said: "We decided to do the park because it was in such a state. It's been ace." He added: "We used to play football in school grounds but got told off."

And Steven, also from Pudsey, added: "We went round houses posting leaflets asking people to sponsor us and raised £300. We would play football on the park if it had the nets."

His mum Andrea Lightfoot, who has been supervising them, said: "They came home from school one day, mentioned Lifestyle and said they'd had a really good idea to do up the park. They drew up the plans and sent them to Councillor Tom Spamer. It's such a huge space and it's a shame not have something on it for children to use."

Coun Spamer (Lab, Pudsey North) is now arranging a meeting for the boys with Leeds City Council's leisure services department to talk about equipment for the park. "What they've done is brilliant. I am very impressed," he said.

Inspector John Mason, who spearheads Lifestyle which started in 1996 with just 400 young people taking part, added: "The long summer holidays can spell boredom for a lot of people. But, by becoming involved in Lifestyle, they not only develop their self-esteem, but also learn the value of working with other people and improve community spirit and safety."

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