DISUSED and neglected land was turned into a community woodland as part of a £2m restoration project.

Two former landfill sites and overgrown surrounding areas in Town Lane, Southport, were transformed into new public green space.

In just four months, 47,000 tonnes of sand was mixed with 5,730 tonnes of peat to create soil for trees and wildflowers over the 26-hectare site.

It is hoped a new cycle track, mountain bike skills course and wildlife habitats will also be created.

The North West Development Agency gave £1.78m to the project, part of its Newlands partnership with the Forestry Commission to regenerate disused landfill sites.

Liverpool Biennial was also on board to help commission European artist-and-architect collective Raumlabor to temporarily install a piece of work, called Jantar Mantar, at Town Lane, to signal the beginning of a new life for the site.

The piece, an enormous sundial and observatory, was originally conceived as part of an installation called The Promising Land and shown in Bootle in September.

Tim Oliver, from the Forestry Commission, said: “After months of hard work and investment, we are delighted the Town Lane community woodland is now complete.Š

“The regeneration of the site will help turn the area into a greener, cleaner and more attractive space for people to play, live and work.”