FINAL sketches of how a derelict piece of land in Nelson could be transformed in to a community garden will be on view to the public next week.

Groundwork East Lancashire, through its Active Neighbourhoods Project in Whitefield, is working with local residents to improve the land next to the canal, off Lomeshaye Road, and provide an area which can be used by people of all ages.

Meetings have been held to obtain residents' views on the project during the last 12 months and Groundwork has now put together a final sketch design for the site from those opinions.

If everything goes as planned work could start on the project as early as next month .

Naheed Ashraf, Active Neighbourhoods Officer, said: "This was an old garage site for a while and then became derelict. We are aiming to create a community garden linked in with the existing park and kick-about area.

"We may also include a mountain bike park but we would need to get planning permission for that. We have had a number of community consultations during the past year, which have been attended by residents and young people, and this will be the last consultation with the residents before we start work next month.

"We have funding to get started on the project and are hoping to get other funding for it as we go along. It could cost in the region of £30,000. We will start training workshops soon linking with local schools and there will be a community involvement all the way through the scheme."

The sketches will be on display in the reference section at Nelson Library from Monday to Friday and at St Mary's Parish Centre in Whitefield on Wednesday, between 10am and 4pm.

At both displays there will be comment sheets to give people an opportunity to add their final opinions on the designs and a chance to look at more information about the project.