A MASSIVE project to turn a former landfill site into a beauty spot has been completed, following fears it would be ruined by bikers.

Nearly 4,000 trees have been planted by environmental regeneration group Groundwork as part of a £35,000 scheme in Huncoat.

When work started residents in the Enfield Road area of the village expressed their concerns that bikers riding across the Lancashire County Council-owned site to rallies on adjacent land would ruin the improvements.

But today Steve Marchbank, of Enfield Road, said: "That's all calmed down -- partly due to resident policing. Groundwork have done a very good job. It secures the land for the future."

The work was also hit by the foot-and-mouth crisis, but now Groundwork are ready to open the new beauty spot to the public.

Improvements include:

Three decorative wooden gateways created by artist Tom Williams from designs produced by 50 year four and five pupils at Huncoat Primary School.

Muddy footpaths have been replaced with new surfaces. More than 400 tonnes of demolition rubble and concrete has been recycled to create 650 metres of new walkways.

Existing woodland areas have been extended and improved and the site screened from the road by the planting of nearly 4,000 trees.

A new footbridge across Clough Brook gives walkers direct access from the Enfield Road site to Altham and the local public right of way network.

Funding and practical support for the scheme has come from Lancashire County Council, the Lancashire Environment Fund, the East Lancashire forestry initiative Elwood and Groundwork's own Business Environment Association. The Huncoat residents' forum was also involved.

Groundwork programme development manager Maggie Flynn said: "It's great that things have finally happened after delays caused by foot and mouth.

"As with so many Groundwork schemes, a variety of partners have been involved in planning, fundraising and actually delivering the work -- and an equallly wide variety of local people will benefit."