A man is doing all he can to put a smile on people's faces by improving green spaces.
Four years ago Frank Sharp set up the Friends of Maghull after deciding he wanted to bring a stronger sense of community to the people of Maghull. By transforming derelict spaces, planting trees, and creating artwork he hopes he can "inspire others to do good."
Frank along with a dedicated group of volunteers are doing all they can to make sure Maghull is a place people can be proud of.
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Speaking to the ECHO Frank said: "Four years ago we were just a small group of residents on Parkbourne and there was a hot spot by my house for anti-social behaviour. I just thought it would be great if we could change something.
"So we turned that fly-tipping area by the railway tracks into this beautiful little oasis. I saw everyone coming together, I saw people being inspired and wanting to do more. So that is where it started really."
From there Friends of Maghull has gone on to plant 15,000 trees, helped to transform Stafford Morton Way by creating free public artwork with students from Maghull High School, and created the Cosy Club which offers a warm safe space for those in need.
Frank, 63 said: "Personally I like to hide away from it all, I guess I’m like the Banksy of the environmental world. I don’t like it to be about me. I prefer to capture other people’s happiness and see the smiles on their faces.
"I’m a strong believer in karma and I think if you do good in the community, people do good as well. I want people to see the changes we make and think life is worth living and Maghull is a place worth being a part of."
Maghull is an ever-changing place, the once rural village has transformed into a town and in recent years has been at the centre of several large and at times controversial housing developments. While Frank and the Friends of Maghull want people to move to the area, they aim to protect Maghull's shrinking green space and to hold onto a sense of community.
Frank said: "I’ve lived here all my life and I have seen it develop from a beautiful rural village to a sprawling town. Sadly when they put the houses in they did not create the facilities to make it more of a community.
"The sense in Maghull is that because of the increasing population, the infrastructure has not been put in place to accommodate everyone. We welcome everyone who comes here, we just want the small things that we do to be echoed and inspire people. We need to fight for our green space and make Maghull a happy place to live."
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