VILLAGERS in Hoddlesden hope the area around their war memorial will have been transformed in time for their Remembrance Day service next month.

Work started this week on improving the grassed area in the centre of the village.

Improvements planned for the village green will be funded by the East Rural Community Regeneration Board, the council and gifts from local people.

Wrought iron railings are being installed yesterday around the war memorial gardens to replace the old rails which had begun to deteriorate.

Once work has been completed, the community will be invited to design and plant new flower beds.

A new bin will be provided and new lamp posts will be installed opposite the gardens.

The schemes, which are expected to be completed within the month, were drawn up by the East Rural Regeneration Board, which allocated around £4,000.

Residents had raised concerns about the run-down look of the centre of the village.

Villagers have had problems with youth nuisance and vandalism recently so it is hoped that the new village green will improve the look of the area and give the village a lift.

Ward councillor Fred Slater said: "The area gradually started to deteriorate over a number of years and the railings were almost completely broken.

"The railings that are being installed have been donated by a local businessman and the funding will pay for them to be put up.

"We are going to have some bulbs planted and hopefully when we get the other part of the green tidied up it should look a lot better.

"We are also getting a Victorian lamp post at the chip shop side of the green which will be in the same style as the railings."