A PROJECT meant to give electrical substations a "much needed makeover" could be abandoned as staff are battling daily vandalism.

The site, in Carnation Road, Farnworth, was specially selected to be part of project by Electricity North West but flowers planted in the area have been repeatedly ripped up.

Work began on the Transforming Our Spaces scheme in late May, with staff initially clearing litter from the area around the substation and then bedding new plants.

Others features were also set to be added, including bird feeders, herbs and bug hotels to encourage wildlife back to the surrounding land.

However, the station in question was damaged just days after initial work was completed, and later attempts to surround it with fencing and tape were smashed.

Now, the woman behind the project, Angie Thornton, a delivery manager at Electricity North West, says this is the "last chance" for things to work out.

“To see our hard work being constantly undone at the Carnation Road site is frustrating and more so disappointing," she said.

"The Transforming our Spaces project has been extremely well received throughout a number of communities in the region."

Carnation Road was chosen to be part of the scheme after consultation with Bolton at Home.

Staff from the housing association suggested the Farnworth site should be improved after a long history of littering and fears it could become an "eyesore".

But, Ms Thornton says rather than allowing Electricity North West to revamp the area, the project has cost hundreds of pounds and has made little difference.

She called the first set of incidents "bitterly disappointing" but said the ongoing problems could bring an end to the project as some of the flowers need to planted at specific times of year.

She added: "This is a site we specially selected with Bolton at Home as it’s part of the community and has been subject to years of fly tipping and vandalism.

“We have a team that attends the site regularly to maintain and water the flowers but more often than not, they’re having to re-plant flowers that have been ripped out and thrown on the floor.

“We want this project to work but time is of the essence and it really is the last chance we have. I urge the vandals to stay away and please let the project be a part of the community.”

Problems with vandalism have also impacting on another chosen site, in Selkirk Road, Smithills, which was similarly targeted as a spot which needed improvement.

Work to plant flowers there was quickly stalled after a large quantity of soil was stolen, but the project has since been able to proceed, suffering with less issues than its Farnworth counterpart.

Following the incidents, the vandalism was reported to the police and residents living near the two substations have been asked to report any future damage or vandals spotted near the sites.

To make reports to the police, call 101 or use the Live Chat feature on www.gmp.police.uk.

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.