BICKERING and fighting over a green retreat could deal a devastating blow to a Lancaster community, it is claimed.

It follows a row involving residents and local leaders over attempts to plant saplings in the city's Greaves Park last Sunday.

No planting was done because of the verbal sparring - and the whole matter was referred to Lancaster City Council.

In one corner were the Friends of Greaves Park and Green Party councillors who wanted to 'green up' the area.

But in the other were Parkfield Drive residents backed by Cllr Sheila Denwood, worried that their view would be ruined.

Now local Catherine Williams is urging everyone to forget the politics - and work together for the good of the neighbourhood.

"A number of us have been trying to improve the park for years and it is a shame that the whole thing has turned into a fight," says the Belle Vue Drive local.

"The concerns of residents are being obliterated by political polarisation. There needs to be constructive talks to find a middle ground so that the views of residents on Parkfield Drive are addressed but at the same time we create more facilities and a nice green space."

Ms Williams says Cllr Den-wood should be encouraging the scheme and working with the Greens to create a nice park with facilities for people to enjoy.

She says that the 25 members of the park's friends group represents a wide cross section of people who would like to develop a playground in the area next.

But Cllr Denwood says she has taken her stand because of 'very strong' objections by the residents of Parkfield Drive.

"It would be a very foolish councillor who ignored the wishes of the people. Of course there are no objections at all to plants, wild flowers, bird boxes and a litter pick, of which I am a strong supporter, these will enhance the Park," she says.

"If proper consultation with the residents had been done first, all this confusion could have been avoided.

She adds: "All these problems have been unnecessary and caused upset to people who just want to live a peaceful and pleasant life."

The Green party says it consulted people in 600 homes around the park last February in its bid to get more people involved That was what begun the formation of the Friends of Greaves Park community group.