A SCULPTURE was unveiled in Davyhulme Park, Urmston by United Utilities, as the centrepiece of a £40,000 makeover of the park.

Manchester sculptor Mike Green was joined by Trafford Councillor Michael Cornes and United Utilities' Tim Boaler to unveil the feature.

The design was voted for by school children from Davyhulme Primary School, who decided on the acorn and squirrel sculpture.

Artist Mike Green made the sculpture using different types of metal that change colour over time.

A grant of £10,000 was given to the Friends of Davyhulme by United Utilities, to replace a mosaic damaged by fire. The grant has also been used for landscaping, horticultural work and new seating. A further £30,000 has also been awarded to the Friends from One Trafford, a partnership between Trafford Council and Amey.

Other work carried out has included reducing the height of rhododendron and laurel shrubs, realigning the stone steps and removing vegetation on an original 1933 feature path to allow access, and removing some overgrown areas of shrub and bramble.

United Utilities began a modernisation project of Davyhulme in 2015, which is due to end in 2018. The £200million project aims to refurbish Davyhulme's wastewater treatment works and improve the way the area is run.

United Utilities’ community investment fund, United Futures, run in partnership with community charity, Groundwork, has awarded £48,000 to seven community projects located close to its Davyhulme wastewater treatment works - one of the biggest in the UK. The modernisation aims to ensure a better quality of treated wastewater being returned to the environment, as well as meeting the needs of the growing population of Manchester.