AMBITIOUS plans to transform a corner of Corton into a wildlife haven are gathering pace.

Volunteers have now finished digging out part of the village's playing field to create the Corton in Bloom Jubilee Meadow, which should be full of colourful wild flowers by next summer.

Since the end of April, members of Corton in Bloom have been busy working at the site. As well as digging up the patch of land, a turf wall has been created and tree stumps have been installed.

An old cart has also been brought in, and it will be adorned with plants.

Members of Corton in Bloom, which was formed in April, will soon start planting at the meadow which, it is hoped, will attract insects and other wildlife, and provide a source of nectar for bumble bees.

There are also plans to plant two pussy willow trees, which are said to be bee-friendly.

It is hoped that the full impact of the work will be fully appreciated by local people next summer.

Joy McLeod, chairman of Corton in Bloom group, which now has more than 20 members, said: 'In the next few weeks we will be busy planting flowers, shrubs and bulbs. It is going to look very pretty. But it will look even better next year. So far Corton in Bloom has gone very well. We are ahead of where we wanted to be.'

Mrs McLeod, 68 who has lived in Corton for about six years, thanked all the volunteers who had helped with the work and singled out Gill Armstrong and Delcie Lomas for praise. She was also keen to thank John and Sheena Lee for getting the cart and Pleasurewood Hills for supplying the free tree trunks.

A Corton in Bloom Jubilee Meadow banner has also been donated by sponsor Ryan Holt, of Spark Creative.

He said: 'It is great to see a group of enthusiastic people working to make the village look nice. We thought the project was a fantastic and one that would benefit the village, so that's why we have supported the group.'

Local councillors Mary Rudd and Bruce Provan also provided funding for the project from their locality budgets.

The next stages of Corton in Bloom could see a new grass verge created and a bus stop covered in floral displays.

For information on Corton in Bloom, call Mrs Mcleod on 01502 730611.