A ONCE-derelict area of Birkenhead Park that was transformed as part of a youth charity project will host a football festival and bike revival this weekend.

Since April last year, members of award-winning Wirral charity HYPE (Helping Young People Everywhere) have re-developed part of Birkenhead Park with its 'Park Inner Park' project.

The organisation received an Innovation Award at this year's Wirral Third Sector Business Awards for the project, which saw the inclusion of a wildlife and nature trail, outdoor classroom, huge stage, art walls, sports area and even a children's play area.

To celebrate the work HYPE is hosting a bike community event on Saturday from 12pm to 4pm.

Youngsters and parents are invited to bring along any bikes in need of repair – and have them fixed free of charge.

A football festival will take place the following day.

Open to all ages, with a 3x3 competition, soccer cage, speed radar, inflatable pitches.

The festival is divided into two time slots, the first from 10.30am-noon and the second from noon until 1.30pm.

Entry is £1 per person and children under eight must be accompanied by adults.

HYPE's managing director Matt Houghton told the Globe: "What the young people have done in the park has been amazing, it's been brilliant to see how hard they have worked.

"We are really excited about this weekend, hopefully lots of people will come to have their bikes fixed and play football and see the transformation that these amazing young people have brought about.

"At HYPE we just want to improve young people's lives and give them something positive to do outside of school and show them that their hard work really does pay off.

"These two events this weekend are just the start of what is going to be a great summer – we are also running holiday sports clubs, art workshops, chess competitions, discovery and learn workshops and even a dog fair!"

Paul Davies, Birkenhead Park manager, said: "It's great to see the ambition and progress HYPE have made with this space and to see the number of young people it has been working with.

“Birkenhead Park provides a central access point for working with all community based organisations and so we have been well positioned to contribute to this project.

"Our mission is to help deliver with HYPE, a unified experience for all young people in our diverse community, providing equitable access, individualised educational coordination and quality of experience.”

More information on the weekend's event at Birkenhead Park are from www.hype-merseyside.co.uk