AN ELEVENTH hour effort brought top praise for Leigh's new-look war memorial gardens.

Hurried finishing touches were put to the open-plan layout as the town and its war veterans prepared to honour the dead. But months of restyling work on the Church Street gardens has brought resounding applause.

Leigh Royal British Legion Branch president Alfred Holmes said after Sunday's Remembrance Parade: "On behalf of the British Legion I'd like to thank the council for the grand work and to all the workforce who worked overtime to get it ready in time.

"It was wonderful to see so many young people, scouts, guides and juniors.

"The Army and RAF cadets were very smart and gave their time on Saturday selling poppies.

"Thank you to everyone who came on Sunday and all who gave so generously to the Poppy Fund.

"We will not forget."

Before Sunday's parade local councillors checked out the refurbished gardens.

Cllr Mark Hale and Brian Jarvis said: "We're pleased with the work that has been done

"We were a bit upset by constant criticism over the last four months - it was hurtful when you think the council have pushed for this £140,000 refurbishment.

"We've not only spent money, we've kept our promise that the gardens would be ready.

"We're going in to the new Millennium with a war memorial and gardens we can all be proud of - a fitting tribute to the war dead. The end result is a vast improvement."

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