GREEN-FINGERED residents joined forces to create a £1,000 rockery in a York park - inspired by the history of the area.

Friends of West Bank Park (FWBP), in Holgate, has had its campaign put forward for the York Community Pride Best Community Project award, after residents from the local area pulled together to re-create the dilapidated rockery.

Members of FWBP were inspired to undertake the project by the fact that, historically, the park was home to Backhouse Nursery, which was world famous for its rockery plants. The group visited Aysgarth Falls, in Upper Wensleydale, to see which kinds of plants it could put into the new rockery and fernery.

With the help of City of York Council, FWBP recovered rocks that had been under some brambles in the park and used them to begin re-building the rockery - which now stands at about 5.5ft and consists of £1,000 pounds worth of plants alone.

Members of the group turn out once a month to maintain the rockery - they see it as their responsibility, and not the council's, to ensure their project remains a success.

It is an ongoing campaign that has drawn together around 50 people from different areas of the community - such as 1st Holgate Scout Group - in a bid to provide a nature area that is a focal point for residents.

Alwyn Redhead, 68, of Acomb, York, who nominated the project for the award, said: "Members of the group and the community have worked really hard in creating this community resource - they have done a fantastic job.

"The hard work they have put in has really improved the appearance of the park.

"It is a joy to walk round. They have made it a nicer area for tourists to visit too.

"They have created a community space where people can come and relax and enjoy their surroundings."

John Coulson, chair of FWBP, said: "The rockery is certainly looking good. We have worked really hard, put a lot of effort into it and we are quite proud of it.

"It has been a real community effort to create a lovely open space for residents and local people have really pulled together to create a focal point for themselves."