DERELICT land is to be transformed into a garden thanks to a £2,400 grant.

The land behind Tockwith Village Hall, near York, will be spruced up with hedges and plants thanks to the cash from Yorventure, the grant-giving body which is backed by Northallerton waste management company, Yorwaste.

The garden will be used by pre-school groups and a youth club, as well as other community organisations.

Stephen Goodrick, the hall's youth leader, said: "Everybody who uses the hall will benefit from the improvements to the grounds and the nature area should be of educational value as well."