A DISUSED car park which has been transformed into a community garden thanks to a funding scheme has been hailed as a huge positive by local leaders.

Darfield Library’s community garden features bespoke planters, a sheltered bench seat and a ‘mud kitchen’ where children can enjoy playing with natural materials.

It has been designed to be accessible to all, with planters set at different heights.

The £9,000 grant secured from the council’s ‘Pride of Place’ initiative funded materials such as planters, trellis fencing, a water butt, bedding plants, bark chippings, seeds and tools.

Coun Wendy Cain, cabinet spokesperson for public health and communities, said: “More than 30 groups have already benefited from this already.

“Pride of Place is a wonderful scheme which encourages volunteers to get involved.

“Darfield Library is a lovely place and this new space has transformed a disused car park into something brilliant.”

It also paid for six willow-weaving workshops and the creation of a willow sculpture at the heart of the garden.

The result, those behind the scheme said, is a vibrant and welcoming space for the community to come together and engage with their environment.

Library manager Karen Taylor added: “It’s only just got going but it’s very much a community project and we’re hopeful it will encourage volunteers to help our staff.

“It was a wasted space but it looks great now applying for the funding was a great idea and we’re thrilled with what’s been achieved.”