A £38,000 community garden is set to transform an Accrington wasteland just months after fly-tippers threatened to destroy the project.

West Accrington Residents' Association teamed up with environmental regeneration charity Groundwork East Lancashire two years ago to develop land in Park Road and create a parkland for informal sports events, with a children's play area and seating.

But despite years of planning and fundraising, the land has been used as an illegal tipping ground and was littered with broken furniture, and household rubbish.

In November, Hyndburn Council spent £1,400 and three days clearing the site, and the plans have now been given the green light by borough's planning department. Work is expected to begin mid-February.

Residents' association secretary Joan Pilkington said: "We have been struggling for two years to get this project off the ground .

"It took the council three days to clear all the rubbish and they had to use two trucks and a digger to get it all up.

"The residents have been keeping a close eye on it and hopefully people will start to take some pride in the area."

Planning committee member Coun Peter Britcliffe added: "This scheme shows how determined the residents are to improve their area."