AN overgrown and forgotten space used for fly-tipping has now been transformed in time to bloom this spring with new flower beds already installed.

The area of land, once a playpark, in Woodmancote in Warndon had become overgrown before work began to tame and transform it while keeping it as a haven for wildlife.

Dubbed 'the jungle' by neighbours, the reclaimed green space in Woodmancote is now taking shape and there is a call from Cllr Jill Desayrah for interested gardeners to come forward to make sure it blooms for years to come.

Four raised beds have been built by Men's Sheds Worcester, sponsored by Sanctuary Housing, and filled with compost.

These beds sit on the hard standing area of the old play park. Built at two heights, they are accessible to both adults and children.

Cranham Primary School's eco club will be revisiting the site next month, to lend a hand. Also involved are Worcestershire Wildlife Trust whose environmental expertise informs the direction of the project.

Cllr Desayrah, a Labour city councillor for Warndon, who for the past 18 months has been the driving force behind the plan, said: “The new beds are ready for planting and we would like to find keen local gardeners to help with them.

"This is one part of a community-led initiative that has seen the planting of spring bulbs and a summer wildflower area.

"Thought has been given to log piles, building a bee bank, a stumpery and planting fruit trees to make this space bio diverse. As regards the larger “jungle” area, work will resume once the nesting season ends at the end of August.

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"Expect to see a walkway cut through the area, making it accessible for the first time in over a decade. Anyone who would like to be involved should contact Cllr Desayrah or message her Facebook page 'desayrahwarndon'."

The part already cleared had become a tangled wilderness of brambles, nettles and fly-tipped rubbish.

However, it has been recognised that to clear the site entirely would not be in the best interests of wildlife, including hedgehogs which are understood to hibernate there.