HELPING hands are needed to make a Birkby park bloom once more.

Following the award of a £10,000 National Lottery grant to The Friends of Norman Park, the group is now looking for volunteers to start work on a host of projects.

A community garden will be the first project on the `to do' list followed by further ambitious schemes to transform the Victorian grounds alongside Halifax Old Road.

Nikki Gregg, of the Friends of Norman Park, said: "Although we have up to three years to complete the project, we're aiming to have an official opening of the garden in summer 2005.

"This means we have a lot to do between now and then, so having some helping hands to call on would be a huge help."

The community garden is earmarked to be created on a grassed area next to Norman road.

Additional schemes will involve building a new bridge across a stream accessed by a sloping path.

Native trees and shrubs will also be planted while rockeries and raised beds will be introduced.

Environmental arts projects with local schools will then follow.

Helping hands are to be notified if they are needed for some of the bigger tasks.

To join up, please contact 01484 451846 or e-mail jtg@supanet.com