STUDENTS are transforming a dilapidated former park-keeper's lodge into a community hub.

They thought the boarded-up 19th century house at the entrance to Hanley Park was being wasted and wanted to bring it into public use.

The Stoke-on-Trent City Council-owned building used to be the park keeper's residence, but it was left unused and became damp.

Staffordshire University Students' Union is now working with the authority to regenerate the building so it can be opened up to park visitors.

Union president Fiona Wood said: "This is a fantastic space which has a lot of untapped potential.

"For the past few weeks we've contacted local businesses to donate some much-needed furniture, paint, toys and household items to make it homely and welcoming for local people.

"Students have a bad reputation for drinking and partying, but there is much more to us than that. The majority of students want to get involved in their local communities and work together to improve the areas where we live."

The team is relying on donations for the work.

Six students and two artists have been working on the ground floor of the lodge for a week to give it a new look.

They have transformed three rooms, creating a formal meeting area and two 'chill-out' spaces with murals.

These are now a Potteries-themed play room and a garden sitting room.

Emma Harris, volunteer and project manager at the students' union, said some donations had already been received, but more were still needed.

She added: "Anyone who has any household items they are thinking of throwing away can donate them to the Students' Union offices on the College Road campus.

"We've had some furniture from the Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College at Fenton and we already have three TVs, but we'd like to see some computer games equipment for young people to enjoy."

Emma said the lodge was a multipurpose space that could be used by mum and toddler groups, teenagers and residents' groups.

She added: "It's ready and available for any type of community activity."

City council leader Mohammed Pervez said: "The students involved in this project have been really proactive and it's great they want to change this underused space."