A NEIGHBOURHOOD garden will undergo a revamp in memory of a community champion.

The garden in Church Street, Church was the brainchild of volunteer Alan Pearson, who founded the Church Kirk Residents' Group 10 years ago.

He was fundamental in starting the award-winning Paul Hunter Foundation snooker club in the area, aimed at getting youngsters off the streets.

The former engineer, who died last year at the age of 70, felt a garden off Henry Street amongst a sea of terraced houses which did not have their own outdoor space would be the perfect place for neighbours to gather and relax on sunny days.

Since the garden was created when Alan was the chairman of the residents' action group, it has however become neglected.

Church and Central Area Management Board is now due to bring the area back to its former glory and dedicate it in his name as part of £15,000 worth of environmental improvements to be carried out in the area.

Alan, who lived just a few streets away from the garden, was also behind the provision of the nearby play park and organised activities for the area’s pensioners.

Alan’s wife Pat said: “He loved doing things for other people. He really enjoyed it. It’s just the sort of person he was. When he sorted out the play park, he went to the children and asked them what they wanted in their park. It wasn’t about what we wanted.”

Friend and current chairman of the residents' group, Jean Battle said: “He was very good at sorting out funding and was the sort of person every community needs: a proactive person who cared deeply. He would pester the life out of councillors! He was especially interested in Church Kirk’s young people and wanted them to have the best.

“He was keen on having community walks before anyone else was doing it and we would tidy up the area as we went. Over the years we found everything from hypodermic needles to a horse’s head - but the area soon started looking a lot tidier thanks to Alan’s walks.

"The garden is something that lots of people like to use it and sit out in the nice weather. When it is finished, it will be a wonderful legacy for Alan as it is just what he wanted.”