GREEN-FINGERED volunteers are wanted to help create a community garden in a Victorian park.

As work starts on a £3m restoration of Wharton Park in the centre of Durham, organisers hope to recruit volunteers to create the garden on land where the former park keeper’s cottage used to stand.

A workshop is taking place on Saturday, February 21 between 10am and 2pm in the community room at St Cuthbert’s Church on Framwellgate Peth, next to The Garden House pub.

The event is being run by the Friends of Wharton Park, Edible Durham and Fruitful Durham.

The derelict park keeper’s house was demolished last month as part of the plans to clear the way for the refurbishment of the park, which will include a new heritage centre and café, new play and fitness areas and restoration of the amphitheatre, battlements and miniature car track.

Work will start in the spring and the 4.3-hectare park, owned by Durham County Council, will be closed for 12 months.

The area, which became known as the People’s Park, was first opened to the public in 1858 and was the site of the first Durham Miners’ Gala in 1871.

For more information please contact the project manager Caroline Stephens via whartonpark@durham.gov.uk