IT HAS been more than four years in the making, but a resilient group of York volunteers have finally transformed a rundown open space into a green oasis.

Members of Leeman Road Millennium Green Trust have overcome serious delays and funding shortages to rejuvenate the area which was once an overgrown mess.

The charity, originally called LEAF, was formed in 1998 to retain and protect the area's dwindling green spaces from development.

Group secretary Mary Rothery said they were inspired to carry on after winning an Evening Press Proud To Be York award for their efforts.

Volunteers worked tirelessly to revamp the six-acre Millennium Green. They have now completely cleared the area of overgrowth and put in a pond. It has now become a haven for wildlife such as deer, voles and hedgehogs, and boasts rare wild flowers

The group also worked on a £25,000 teenagers and toddlers park, providing a roundabout, BMX and skate park and green area.

"It has been really, really hard work," Mary said, "I've nearly been brought to my knees a few times. The Evening Press award encouraged us to keep going.

"The green was a total wasteland before we started. We had to stop work for six months at one point because of a problem with contractors.

"A few people lost heart, but it has been well worth it now. It looks fantastic."

The £50,000 project was funded by grants from the Countryside Agency, York Challenge Partnership and City of York Council.

The council's community leisure officer, Michelle Bainbridge, has assisted with the project for the last 18 months.

She said: "They're such a tough lot of volunteers - they've gone through real adversity to get this project finished.

"The area wasn't managed at all well in the past - the group has made a big difference. It's a real wildlife haven now."

Mary said the green had been leased to them for the next 999 years to protect it from development.

For more information about the project, visit the group's website at www.leemanroad.co.uk

Updated: 12:10 Tuesday, December 24, 2002