A VICAR is singing the praises of a parishioner who has turned his neglected churchyard into a little piece of paradise.

Canon Philip Dearden, of Clitheroe Parish Church, has praised Anne Musson and her helpers for creating the most "lovingly cared-for churchyard " he has seen."

Gardening enthusiast Anne, of Moorland Crescent, Clitheroe, took on the task of restoring the churchyard to its former glory following an appeal by former vicar Anthony Roberts in 1992.

"It was certainly looking a bit sad and I felt compelled to put the thing to rights. Soon I had a few helpers and things started to take off," she said.

So keen is Anne that she snips the grass around gravestones by hand, so that each can become as a "picture in a frame."

"I kneel down and lovingly manicure each grave. It is a labour of love. I see the gravestones as pictures in frames. Churchyards are our heritage and we must nurture and care for them," she said. Now nearly 100 feet of borders has been completely replaced with fresh soil and roses with the help of Clitheroe gardeners David and Paul Shackleton.

Guides, beavers, cubs and brownies have become involved - and their parents - and patches of the churchyard are awash with daffodils and snowdrops.

"We get together every fortnight for an afternoon and we all have a patch. It gives us such pleasure to stand back and see what we have done when we have finished.

"It has become a parish affair. Those who aren't in the garden are fund-raising to buy plants and bulbs. The response has been tremendous," Anne said.

Vicar Canon Philip Dearden is delighted and has praised the workers in his parish magazine. He said: "It is the most lovingly cared-for churchyard I have seen. It is a lovely garden and they have worked hard."

Anne thanked helpers Susan and Michael Day, Raymond Wilson, Jill Nicholas, Cynthia Laing and Barbara Taylor.

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