Wasteland which has turned into a soggy marsh is to be transformed into a picturesque nature reserve in the latest Proud to be York initiative.

Members of the Carr Residents' Association have got together to give Pond's Wood, behind Danebury Drive, Acomb, a new lease of life.

The land, which was formally full of ponds, was filled in a few years ago, but a permanent spring has left the land boggy.

Allan Looke, chairman of the association, who has been involved in organising the improvement scheme, said: "It's something we've been thinking about for some time because it's a prominent grass area and a lot of people use it as a cut-through.

"The problem is that cyclists can't really get through any more because their path is far too bogged down."

The residents are hoping to build another pond and introduce more flowers to the area to brighten it up.

Joining the Carr residents are the Acomb Forum, the City of York Council and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

Together they has received funding from the Neighbourhood Forum, and estimate the whole scheme will cost about £5,000.

"Everyone living near the area is really enthusiastic about it, and the I think the final result will be really picturesque."

Residents are due to start the work soon and expect it will be finished at the end of August - depending on the weather.

It is the latest entry in the Evening Press' Proud to be York campaign which aims to encourage more people to take an active part in improving their community.

The idea for the campaign came after the Ecofin conference when everyone made a conscious effort to make sure the city looked its best for the European finance minister's conference.

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