IT HAS taken a lot of hard work - but Burtonwood Cemetery has been named one of the country's best green spaces with a Green Flag award.

Nearly a third of the parks and green spaces that received the award are in the north west, with 133 sites claiming the prestigious accolade.

Winners are judged to be welcoming, safe and well maintained with the strong involvement of the local community.

And that is certainly the case in Burtonwood.

Parish councillor John Higham has helped co-ordinate many hours of work at the cemetery in his role as treasurer of Friends of Burtonwood Village.

Working with Warrington Borough Council, youth offender's teams from Warrington and Widnes and also Burtonwood Tenants and Residents Association, the volunteers have transformed the site.

And the news about the award came as the group got ready to make another special announcement.

Clr Higham said: "We have nearly raised enough money for a £5,000 statue to go on the island in the cemetery by the green flag.

"It is a six foot statue of Our Lord, chosen not by us but by the people of the village after consultation with users of the cemetery.

"I am pleased because the statue is an example of Catholic and Protestants working together for something that both groups can enjoy."

The councillor paid tribute to everyone who helped fund the statue, including the Chapel House Inn on Chapel Lane for their fantastic' fundraising efforts.

It is hoped that it will be in the cemetery by the end of the year.