IT was a tough task, but it looks like Radcliffe's brand new public space has finally got a name.

The site of the former One Stop shopping centre on Stand Lane has been transformed into a landscaped area that will link Stand Lane to Pilkington Way via a riverside walk.

Radcliffe Area Board appealed to the public to come up with suggestions for a suitable name for the site, and area board co-ordinator Mrs Ros Glover said they had been inundated with responses.

Forty people suggested possible names, ranging from Radcliffe Millennium Garden, Cygnet Park and Princess Diana Park to Library View, Pilkington Walk and Standbridge Park. Mrs Glover said: "To help choose, we sought advice from the landscape gardener of the scheme, the arts unit and the architects of the proposed museum/market hall development. "They suggested that, as this is a new Radcliffe landmark for a new century, a forward looking name rather than a historical one should be used."

She added: "It was also felt that a name using 'gardens' rather than 'park' was more appropriate and that the name should make some reference to its riverside location." As a result the contenders were narrowed down to Irwell Gardens, Irwell Terrace Gardens and Radcliffe Riverside Gardens.

These were discussed at Tuesday's (June 19) meeting of the Radcliffe town centre sub-group. Some members felt the inclusion of the word Irwell might have negative connotations to pollution, and so "Riverside Gardens" emerged as the clear favourite.

This will now be recommended to the full area board in time for the official opening of the gardens in a few weeks time.