A TRANQUIL “secret garden” hidden just off Northallerton’s High Street has won a national award.

The garden, next to the Zion United Reformed Church , was created from unused land to provide a therapeutic space for the community, increase wildlife in the town and provide fresh fruit and vegetables to share with local groups.

The idea for the garden came into being in 2016 when the church took out a lease on a plot of land. It was so successful the volunteers expanded the project, adding a further plot nine months ago, which is currently being developed.

Now it has received a Community Project Award at the United Reformed Church's general assembly held in Nottingham, for successfully transforming unused land into community space. The project won a £2,000 cash prize.

Liz Styan, an elder at the church and co-ordinator for the secret garden, said they would invest the money back into the garden.

“The recognition and validation of all our hard work and passion for the project has been really encouraging," she said.