WORK has started on a project to transform North Petherton's Memorial Park.

Following a consultation with residents last year, there has been lots of work going behind the scenes to get together the £250,000 needed to turn the ideas for the park into a reality.

Four applications for funding were successful, meaning external funds for the scheme will come from the Hinkley Point Community Fund, Viridor Credits, Sedgemoor District Council and housing developers.

The North Petherton Playing Fields Charitable Trust and North Petherton Council will also be providing some of the funding.

After much negotiation, a firm called HAGS have been chosen to do the work.

A spokesman for the Memorial Park Project said: "Their scheme was the most imaginative and the best value for money.

"It includes everything we wanted and more. In time, volunteers will plant trees, flowerbeds, convert the wall into a performance space and build a boules pitch.

"If you want to be involved in creating a community park to be proud of, we would love to hear from you."

Gareth Williams, operations manager at Viridor Credits said: “NPPFCT is to be commended for the huge fundraising effort, which will bring joy to the ever-increasing community of North Petherton. Here at Viridor Credits, we cannot wait to see the finished park.”

Linda Hyde, chair of the Trust, added: “We have waited a long time to create the play space that our community deserves. "This project will finally provide an attractive, easily accessed, landscaped space that whole families can enjoy together, without the need to travel elsewhere.

"If anyone wants to join our volunteers working on any aspect of this project, I would be delighted to hear from you.”