SHOPPERS and workers in Preston city centre can now retreat to a new public garden at the minster for some peace and quiet.

The £90,000 garden on the previously derelict South Church Yard, behind the Church Street minster, will include seating areas, new trees and shrubs, a specially commissioned sculpture and disabled access from Stoneygate.

It marks the culmination of a nine-year modernisation project by the parish which has seen more than £2.25 million spent on the Minster Church of St John the Evangelist in Preston and St George's church, behind St George's shopping centre.

"The minster garden will provide a wonderful oasis of quietness in a busy city centre," said Canon Martyn Griffiths. "It is a great way to give something back to the community and create a beautifully green space in the city centre."

The garden will feature a sculpture entitled Full Circle of Life by the Prestonian blacksmith Andrew Barnes, 30, to represent the church's role in births, marriages, and deaths.

Andrew's great great great grandparents, John and Sarah Ferguson-Gornall, were married at the church in 1874.

"I think it is really fitting that Andrew should make the sculpture for the garden," said his mother Marjorie Barnes, 57, of Preston.

"I am really looking forward to the summer, I hope it's as good as last year and that the people of Preston come and enjoy their new garden," said Canon Griffiths.

The Mayor of Preston, Coun Neil Cartwright, will be planting an oak sapling to officially open the Minster Gardens on Tuesday February 24 at 2pm.

The planting of the oak is also marking Preston's city status and St John's role as the civic church.

Most of the funding for the project, has come from the AvenCentral Regeneration Project.