A LAYBY on the main road through Laycock will soon be transformed thanks to a project being kick-started by an environmental and community development group.

Keighley Urban Meadows is launching a programme of community-led environmental action in Laycock.

The scheme is the brainchild of Keighley town councillor John Kirby, who has responded to residents' concerns over the state of the layby at the eastern entrance to the village.

The initiative is being organised by the town council-funded community development worker Pip Gibson and paid for by Greggs bakery.

It is due to begin on Wednesday (March 20) with ground preparation, tree pruning and litter picking in preparation for a native wildflower planting scheme and the installation of planters made by local volunteers from recycled timber.

As the project develops and the weather improves, school children and residents will be invited to take part in fun days on the site. These will feature plant pot painting, environmental arts workshops, foraged food cookery demonstrations and traditional village fair entertainments.

Cllr Kirby said: “This is the kind of thing that really brings people together and it will show what can be achieved with a little effort and commitment.

"I'm sure the end result will be something the village can be proud of and a good example to the rest of Keighley.”

As previously reported, flowers planted by youngsters in the layby were accidentally destroyed last year by resurfacing work done by a private contractor. The contractor subsequently offered to pay for new wooden planters to help revitalise the location.

Jeni Gerhardt, retail operations manager for Greggs, said: "The Greggs Local charity committees are made up of Greggs team members and support hundreds of organisations each year.

"Our teams in the three Greggs shops in Keighley were upset to see the loss of the Laycock Primary School children's flower planting, so wanted to support Keighley Urban Meadows and the school to re-instate their hard work."