TURF grown on the outskirts of York has been transported to France for a memorial recognising Australian servicemen who died in the Somme.

Cultivated turf grown by Inturf, based in Wilberfoss, has been transported to the Somme as part of a major landscaping project at the Australian Memorial at Villers Bretonneux.

Alex Edwards, Inturf joint managing director, said: “We’re very proud of our connection with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

“The turf supplied was from our main production, the grade selected being hard wearing enough to cope with the numbers of visitors the memorial attracts but at the same time aesthetically pleasing in keeping with the wonderful atmosphere created by the staff of the Commission whose work is respected the world over.

"There are technical issues associated with supplying turf at such distance so the 4500 square metres were delivered in refrigerated lorries to ensure that it was field-fresh when it reached the site.”

Situated around 10 miles east of Amiens, the garden commemorates 10762 fallen of that nation who took part in the fighting in France and Belgium during the First World War, and is designed especially for those with no known grave.

The project will be completed in time for the ceremonies which will take place on Anzac Day on April 25 when Australians and New Zealanders around the world will remember the fallen of all conflicts.

Julian Blake, horticultural supervisor of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, said: "Our staff were very pleased with how easy to handle these rolls were and this has helped us to meet this very special deadline. The staff at Inturf gave a professional support from order to delivery and the whole team are proud of the finished result."