A FAMILY fun day will launch an effort to claim back a community area which had been taken over by drug users and alcoholics.

Music, a bouncy castle and other activities will be held near to the Woodland site, known locally as Ghost Woods, at the top of Greenstead Slopes in Colchester on Saturday, when members of the community will be asked what their hopes for the area are.

Police Community Support Officer Chris Raynsford said the project was part of a major long-term plan to improve the area and would start with a “general tidy up”.

The event, from noon until 4pm, marks the start of a five-year project to revitalise the area.

Fay Mathers, community projects officer for Colchester Council, said the aim of Saturday’s event was to start at the beginning and give residents the chance to say what sort of activities they would like to see reach fruition.

For more information, see the Gazette on Tuesday.