Residents in Larne have welcomed the work recently undertaken to improve ground in the St John's Place area.

The project, funded by the Housing Executive, was lauded by Dixon Park Residents Association chair Anne Marshall.

She said: "The new planting and fencing have given a real lease of life to these areas - let's work to keep them this way."

The improvement are part of a wider programme to rehabilitate green areas at St John's Place and also at Millbrook.

Ms Marshall said: "The shrub beds had been planted a number of years ago and so had become overgrown in some places or barren where plants had died and been removed. As a result they had attracted dumping and in some cases had become a focus for anti social behaviour in the vicinity and a source of concern to local residents.

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"Through good partnership working with Housing Executive staff, in the Larne District Office and Grounds Maintenance Department, these areas have been turned around and are now an attractive asset in the community. I hope that everyone will enjoy and take pride in them, ensuring that they are left to develop and blossom in the coming seasons."

Grounds Manager Ronnie McCreanor said that the work was part of the grounds maintenance programme for the Larne District.

"These programmes cover not only the annual cycles of seasonal grass cutting but also take in rehabilitation work such as this work at St John's Place and Millbrook, geared to improving the local environment.

"In this scheme, areas in Millbrook, Millbrae, St John's Place and Fleet Street have been planted with a variety of shrubs to give interest and seasonal colour throughout the year. At St John's Place we have also planted escallonia hedging to enhance fencing at the back of the flats," he said.

"Grounds staff locally have worked with Dixon Park Residents Association community group in planning the work in this area and I welcome their support."

(PR/JM)