REGENERATION of a memorial garden has been put on hold - because nobody knows who it is a memorial to.

Sponsorship money has been obtained to buy new plants and pay for a general tidy up of the small patch of land in Thorneyholme Road, Accrington.

But organisers do not want to start work in case they offend any one by making the alterations.

Coun Malcolm Pritchard, who represents Milnshaw ward on Hyndburn Council, is now calling for anyone who knows who the 25ft by 12ft garden is dedicated to to come forward.

Coun Pritchard said: "The land is looking a bit shabby at the moment and it needs doing up.

"We have been told it is a memorial garden but there is no statue or plaque to tell us who it is in remembrance of, and we can't find any records of it.

"We don't want to start doing any work in case it means something significant to somebody, in which case we want to include them in the plans."

The town has a well-known memorial to those who fought in the two World Wars in Oakhill Park and there is a memorial chapel for the Accrington Pals in St John's Church.

Coun Pritchard added: "It isn't fenced in but there are some overgrown privets that look untidy.

"There is a bench there so people can stop and contemplate things, but it would be nice for them to have a bit of guidance on who they should be directing their thoughts to.

"If anyone knows who the garden is dedicated to they can get in touch?"

Local businessman Ian Pilkington, who owns the Railway Garage in Accrington and lives in Thorneyholme Road, has donated £250 to help rejuvenate the garden.

Coun Pritchard said: "We have the money to do the work. We are just waiting to get started now.

"If no one comes forward by the end of April we will just go ahead because we cannot leave the garden looking the way it is."