A WEED-infested patch of ground will be transformed into a sunken railway garden by Christmas, says the Menston in Bloom team in charge of the project.

The derelict land between Menston's Station Road and the A65 is one of the main approaches to the village so the garden will make a big difference to the impression that visitors get.

Menston in Bloom chairman Quentin Mackenzie said: "We wanted to clear up the land because it is a gateway spot into Menston and it is really good to see the promotion of a green area instead of more houses."

Once preparation is complete, the group has devised an eye-catching but easy-maintenance planting scheme of periwinkles and blue bugles in gravel, with a focal point of three silver birch trees against a background of holly bushes.

Bradford Vision's project enabler, Shaun O'Hare, who is advising on the garden, congratulated members for striking a good balance between manageability and impact with the scheme.

And Menston Parish Council chairman Peter Finley said: "I think it is marvellous. When it is complete it will be a tremendous area for the village and the community."

Iron railings that were rusted beyond repair have already been replaced with a brand new fence, despite the difficulties thrown up by two rogue elm trees growing in the way.

One of the trees had bent a street lamp out of shape as it forced its way between the old fence and the light, and the trunks had to be literally chipped away after the wood proved too hard and twisted for sawing.

Piles of brambles and undergrowth have been cleared to make way for new bedding plants, but before the major planting can get under way, an unwelcome visitor must be rigorously dealt with.

Unfortunately, clearing out the old plants has given breathing space to a pernicious prehistoric weed known as mare's tail or horsetail.

This weed is notoriously difficult to get rid of, as its roots grow very deep and its silica-rich leaves are so tough that they have traditionally been used for scouring and polishing implements.

Killing off the horsetail will take about three applications of enzyme-inhibiting glyphosphate, so it will be late November before the ground is ready for major planting. Eventually, the hope is that the new plants will smother any further invasions, says Menston in Bloom member Rosemary Mackenzie.

"The aim is to have the garden so we can just leave it to its own devices," she said.

Volunteers began to add colour to the garden by bedding busy lizzies, marigolds and begonias into planters last Saturday .

Rosemary Mackenzie said: "The planting went very well and it will be looking very colourful in a few weeks. The plants are only small at the moment but they will open up soon."

When Yorkshire in Bloom judges visited the village in the Spring, they praised Menston in Bloom for making real progress to meet the challenges of the local environment.

Work on the garden is being funded by grants from Bradford Vision's Safer, Greener, Cleaner scheme, Bradmet's Communities in Bloom scheme, the community chest and Menston Parish Council.