A FLORAL tribute to mark a church's 150th anniversary has been unveiled.

A newly-planted flowerbed in Redcar's Locke Park is helping to highlight the links between the park and Christ Church, in Coatham.

About 8,500 plants spell out "Christ Church, Coatham 150 years - 1854-2004".

The scheme strengthens the connection between the park and the church.

The park's original layout took the theme of All Roads Lead to God, with all three main paths pointing directly to Christ Church steeple.

Martin Farrance, the treasurer of the parish of Coatham and Dormanstown and member of the committee of the Friends of Locke Park, helped unveil the park flowerbed yesterday.

He said: "The committee came up with the flowerbed design, which includes the wording and representation of a stained glass window.

"It has been a mammoth job and we really appreciate the work the council has put in."

The plants were grown and nurtured at Redcar and Cleveland Council's nursery in Kirkleatham and planted by its maintenance crew.

The council's cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, Councillor Dave Fitzpatrick said: "Our nursery staff and grounds maintenance workforce deserve credit for a lovely piece of work."