A FORMERLY ‘shabby’ park transformed by an army of volunteers has been awarded the highest possible rating by Britain in Bloom.

Longbarn Park in Fearnhead was granted a rating of outstanding by the Royal Horticultural Society and North West in Bloom during a ceremony in Southport on Wednesday, November 1.

It comes three years after the Friends of Longbarn Park was formed by volunteers who wanted to improve the area.

The neighbouring area of Longbarn was also awarded an outstanding rating during the ceremony.

Vinny Higham, chairman of the Friends of Longbarn Park, said: “It was suggested by one of our regular volunteers Jim Smith that we should enter the RHS North West in Bloom competition.

“We walked away with a level five outstanding award which, after a huge effort from all our volunteers, was something that we never expected.

“To achieve such an award on our first attempt is something to be truly proud of.

“Longbarn Residents’ Association also picked up a level five outstanding on the same day as us.

“As we are only separated by the Birchwood Expressway it surely must speak volumes about how well maintained and looked after the Fearnhead and Longbarn areas are, and just how proud our friends, volunteers and residents are of our community.”

The group is now hoping to gain funding from Warrington Borough Council for a new children’s play area and a tree-thinning programme.

Vinny added: “We formed the friends three years ago after a rumour was circulating around the Fearnhead area that Longbarn Park was to fall to a large housing development.

“This of course was untrue, but it made local residents realise what an unloved, overgrown and shabby area the park really was.

“We have since installed park benches and planters, which have been adopted by local residents, a fruit orchard has also been planted and the grass is cut on a regular basis to keep the park looking tip top.”