AN old tram stop at Horwich which has become an eyesore in recent years is to be transformed into a garden as part of a local school's centenary celebrations.

Chorley New Road Primary School, which is coming to the end of its historic year, is planning to create a garden area outside its premises on the corner of Victoria Road.

The land, which is fenced off at the moment, has been given to the school by the council.

Once the spot where the trams turned round, it has become overgrown and is used as a dumping ground for litter.

But all that is about to change as the school, with the help of two local firms and students from Bolton College, implement its plans.

The school is situated on both sides of Chorley New Road and, when the centenary celebrations kicked off last year, the clock was turned back to the Victorian era when a period lamp post was placed next to the school entrance and wrought iron handrails to help visitors to negotiate the steps.

A name plaque was also put up commemorating Lynde Street which used to run past the school.

Now, at the end of the centenary year, it is the turn of the site across the road to have some lasting reminder which will also be of benefit to the local community.

The land is being cleared for the school by landscaping and gardening firm Brophy's, who are based in Horwich, and Travis Perkins Trading Co Ltd, situated next door, have advised on the scheme and are providing some of the materials.

It is proposed to have a raised flower bed made from bricks, and students from Bolton College's building and construction department will be carrying out the work as part of a course project.

Set within the brickwork, will be small sculptures depicting scenes from the town's past created by deputy head teacher Kathleen Jones and parent Jan Gifford.

It is also planned to include some bench seating where parents will be able to sit while waiting for their children to come out of school.

Teacher and centenary co-ordinator Sheila Johnson said the land was fenced off with wrought iron railings which were removed during the war.

Mrs Johnson said: "The whole area is an eyesore but, once it has been cleared, we will make sure it is maintained and kept tidy.

"We started our year with a project for the community and now we are ending with a project for the community - and something we would hope to be there in the next 100 years."

Recently head teacher Peter Charnock was invited to speak to members of Horwich Heritage on the school's history and centenary events.

He read extracts from the school log books and spoke of the strength of community which has always existed at the school. In recognition of its efforts during the past year, the school has been made an honorary member of Horwich Heritage.

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