STUDENTS from St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy have started work on helping to improve a three-acre Memorial Wood and Garden in Buckle Lane, Menston.

Trustees of the High Royds Memorial Garden, which is dedicated to the memory of 2,861 former patients of High Royds psychiatric hospital who were buried in unmarked paupers' graves, is delighted the young people are showing such a keen interest in this further development.

The work, which is being made possible by a Tesco Bags of Help grant, will, together with professional and voluntary help, further enhance a site, which has attracted much local and national interest.

Visitors to the garden have described it as “a beautifully restored and lovely memorial” and “a moving experience”.

Friends chairman, Dr Ron Sweeney, is delighted at the level of support, but is conscious of the need for more volunteers who can spare perhaps an hour a month for simple, but essential jobs, like dusting, polishing in the chapel or light weeding.

Further details of all the improvements being planned will be available at an open day, to be held on July 2 (11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm). All are welcome, and coffee or tea will be provided.