A FRIENDS’ group which has spent £200,000 on a park where a man was fatally attacked have urged people not to judge the venue by the incident.

Christopher Folkes, 36, of Oban Drive, Shadsworth, died in hospital on Sunday after being assaulted in the park on Saturday night.

Police said Mr Folkes was attacked by three men who had been part of a group that had gathered to drink in the park.

Mr Folkes was walking through on the way to visit his mum in Shadsworth.

The incident has put the spotlight on the issue of safety.

But Jack Yates, chairman of the Queen’s Park Supporters’ Group, said the group had spent £200,000 in eight years making it a nice place to visit.

He said: “It’s very unfortunate and could have happened anywhere.

"There isn’t a lot of trouble in the park, or in the area as a whole. I don’t think people feel unsafe using the park.”

Visitors yesterday had mixed views on the park.

Stephen Hayes, 19, of Blackburn, said: “I walk through every night and have never seen anything to worry about.”

Naomi Close, 17, and Haylie Hadfield, 16, who live near the park said it was unsafe in the evening.

Naomi said: “I wouldn’t dream of coming in when there are gangs sitting around drinking.”

Haylie said: “I used to walk her in the evening a lot but this made me think twice.”

Another park visitor who asked not to be named, said: “There are always large gangs drinking late on. It isn’t safe to walk through alone.”

Sgt Kathryn Mcintyre said they had carried out patrols in the park to stamp out any anti-social behaviour.

She said: “We do a lot of jobs" target="_blank">work to address concerns around anti-social behaviour in Queen’s Park, which include increased levels of police patrols, and are about to introduce joint police and community patrols in the area.

“We are also working closely with youth services to introduce various activities for young people, particularly in the summer.”