PLANS for a millennium garden in a Ribble Valley village have received a £1,500 boost.

The ambitious project at the entrance to the Ribchester playing fields will see a formal yew garden created as a backdrop for a series of stone carvings and sculptures by stonemason Fiona Bowley.

The cash was awarded by the Longridge branch of the National Westminster bank to pay for a sundial to be designed and made by Fiona.

Ribchester millennium committee chairman Caroline Openshaw said: "It's marvellous to have the support of a national organisation such as NatWest. The bank has recognised the high quality of the project and this is wonderful encouragement to our fund-raising efforts. We are waiting to hear the outcome of other grant applications and plan to start fund-raising in the village shortly."

Fiona Bowley, from Thornton-in-Craven, worked on the restoration of York Minster following the south transept fire.

Her carvings for Ribchester will include the sundial, as well as a special column depicting the village's history and two panels celebrating local life. Ribble Valley Council has allocated £5,000 to the project and £1,050 has come from private individuals.

Anyone wishing to make a donation or help with fund-raising should contact Caroline Openshaw on 01254 878324.

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