A SCHOOL in Horwich has rounded off its centenary celebrations by getting rid of an eyesore and replacing it with a garden.

Chorley New Road Primary School has created the garden on the site of an old tram stop which had become overgrown and was used as a rubbish dump.

The school was given the land by Bolton Council but it had been fenced off to prevent pupils wandering in and injuring themselves.

After a joint project involving Bolton College and two local firms, all that has changed and the school has a garden it can be proud of.

On Saturday, the garden was officially opened by teacher Sheila Johnson, the school's centenary co-ordinator.

When the celebrations were launched last year, it was decided to involve the local community as much as possible.

The school is situated on either side of Chorley New Road and, in May last year, the festivities got under way and back into the Victorian age. A period lamp post was installed and wrought iron handrails, and even an old sign commemorating old Lynde Street was put in place.

Now the site on the other side of the road, which is next to what was the old tram stop, has undergone similar treatment.

The derelict side was cleared and landscaped by Brophy's of Horwich.

Then students from Bolton College's construction department created a raised brick flower bed on the oval tram turning point.

Building materials were supplied with a generous discount from the school's next-door neighbours, Travis Perkins Trading Co Ltd.

Even the old wrought-iron railings, which were ripped up during the war, have been replaced thanks to a council grant.

But the most unusual features of the garden are the clay tiles, depicting buildings and features of old Horwich, which have been incorporated within the walls of the flower bed.

The tiles were made by artistic pupils under the supervision of deputy head Kath Jones and parent Jan Gifford.

"While all the rest of the school was off on Election Day these children came into school and worked the whole day through making these plaques," said Mrs Johnson.

To complete the effect, a replica sign saying "Tram Request Stop" has been put up on the wall.

Mrs Johnson added: "No-one would believe what a mess it was before.

"We have taken away an eyesore and given something back to the community as well as re-creating a little bit of history."

Now that all the hard work has been done, the garden will be cared for by each class on a rota basis.

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