A TEAM of county councillors want to create a new grand entrance at a North Yorkshire project.

The Valley Gardens in Harrogate is being supported by the locality budgets of county councillors Jim Clark, Don Mackenzie, John Ennis and John Mann, who have each had approved £750 to the Friends of Valley Gardens project.

The group want to refurbish the entrance with gates and pillars previously used at the Rose Garden in King's Road, to create a new memorial rose garden and the King Edward VII Memorial Gate, which will commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War on November 11.

Cllr Clark said: "This entrance to the park is used by many people going to the tennis courts, children’s playground and pitch and putt. The gates and garden will greatly enhance this area of the park and provide an elegant and beckoning entrance which should help to attract even more visitors to the gardens."

Cllr Ennis said: "I am glad to be involved with this project and to make a financial contribution. The whole community in Harrogate will take pleasure from this enhancement of our much-loved Valley Gardens."

Cllr Mann said: "As one of the councillors who represent central Harrogate, I am very proud of the Valley Gardens - it is the green jewel in Harrogate’s floral crown and a magnet for tourists, local walkers and young people. I am therefore very pleased that £750 from my county council locality budget is able to go towards the restoration of the Green Park entrance to these fantastic gardens."

Jane Blayney, chairman of the Friends of Valley Gardens, said: "Friends of Valley Gardens are delighted with the money towards the restoration of the Green Park entrance. Presently at there is a pillar in a dilapidated state and the remaining stump of the second pillar. The original King Edward VII gate and pillars, which were constructed in 1911, have been procured to be re-sited at the Green Park entrance.

"Next to the entrance in the Valley Gardens are some rose beds. These flower beds will be extended and replanted with Tommy and Peace memorial roses of the First and Second World Wars respectively."