A RESIDENTS' group that has created an oasis of green among rows of terrace homes has opened its community garden.

Almost two years after taking over two plots at Timothy Terrace Allotments, in Spennymoor, members of Eden Residents' Association are baring the fruits of their labour.

Despite a serious blow over contaminated land, the volunteer gardeners have persisted with the project and are now looking forward to the official opening their Garden of Eden on Sunday, May 29.

In June 2003, the group cleared the site of weeds, rubble and rubbish to discourage anti-social behaviour on their doorsteps.

Last spring, the gardeners were forced off the land because potentially toxic substances were discovered in a soil sample.

More than £450-worth of plants and fruits trees, bought with grants, were lost and the plans suffered a 12-month setback because the ban lasted throughout the main planting season.

But in September last year, the team was allowed back on to the site to seal the contaminated land and build 27 raised beds using clean soil.

More residents have joined the project, growing hundreds of flowers from seed and planting vegetables and a salad garden.

Project co-ordinator Pauline Freeman, who with neighbour, Ronny Irvin, tends the garden every day, said: "It feels brilliant to get to this point. To see things growing after all we have gone through is fantastic.

"It gives us a real sense of satisfaction and pride and we are looking forward to getting more people along.

"Three schools are already involved and that is important to us, we want it teach local kids about how things grow and encourage them to be healthy."

Association secretary Cynthia Bell said: "When we started it was a dump but now it is looking how we imagined it would, it hasn't been easy but we were determined to get to this point.

"Because of it we've all made friends and found new skills."

The team has been nominated for a national award, the Nationwide Awards for Voluntary Endeavour, by Sarah Norman of town's Neighbourhood Watch.

She said: "This project is making a massive impact on people in that area, this is a community now and people are taking pride in the area."