WORK is almost complete on a new nature garden in Darwen which “shows the love of outdoor spaces still runs through Lancashire veins”.

A team of 15 volunteers have put in more than 500 hours of work over winter to create the feature at Darwen Old Cemetery, which has transformed a “scruffy” piece of grassland at the top of the site, off Lark Street.

The Friends of Darwen Cemetery successfully bid for a £10,000 Awards For All grant to do the work, and it is estimated the voluntary work equates to a similar amount.

Friends chairman Coun John East, said: “We decided on a nature garden in the cemetery because of its proximity to the moors.

“We are trying to preserve the environmental and cultural significance of the cemetery, as well as to inspire children to come and take ownership of their heritage.”

The circular garden has a central space containing stone ‘mushroom stools’, designed by local school children.

There is also dry stonewalling, a dry stonewall bench, and wild-flower seeds have been planted in three large soiled areas.

“The local scouts have erected bird and bat boxes in Lark Street.

Coun East said: “It’s an incredible bit of work that demonstrates the power of local people when they want to achieve something.

“From being a neglected cemetery three or four years ago, it’s now an outstanding area for recreation that puts Darwen on the map.

“It shows the importance of parks and open spaces to the people of Darwen, and is similar to how the town fought for the freedom of Darwen Moors.

“That love still flows through the veins of Lancashire people.”

A new war graves trail is also being planned by the Friends, plus members are planning ahead for a Heritage Lottery bid to commemorate the centenary of start of the First World War in 2014.

The garden will be officially opened at 11am on Saturday, April 28 by Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Coun Karimeh Foster.