A COMMUNITY has celebrated the official opening of a a new community garden created on reclaimed land.

The ceremony behind Garden Avenue, Langley Park, near Durham, was attended by community leaders and volunteers who helped create the new facility.

The ribbon was cut today by nine-year-old Sam Turnbull, who has Down’s Syndrome.

Bev Coult, secretary of the Langley Park Allotment Association, said: “Our association decided that we could like to give something back to the village by creating a community garden.

“After Esh Parish Council approved the project we approached the Awards for All Big Lottery Fun, which gave us £8,900 towards the garden.

“Durham county councillors Joe and Barbara Armstrong also gave us £2,000 from their neighbourhood budget.”

Local business Diggerland provided machinery to clear the area, while a team of volunteers, joined by the Princes Trust members, based at East Durham College’s Houghall Campus, helped convert the land over a 16-month period.

Year 1 and Year 4 pupils from Langley Park Primary School also joined in planting.

Mrs Coult said: “We would like to thank everyone that helped convert this area into a fantastic, bright, inviting and tranquil community garden.

“The garden has already been enjoyed by many children and adults alike and moving forward we hope that generations of families have the opportunity to enjoy the dream area that we have made into a reality.”