Residents of Runcorn took to the great outdoors to in a week-long event to improve their neighbourhood, following an audit that uncovered concerns about littering and dog-fouling in the Murdishaw area.

Riverside, in partnership with Halton Borough Council and Liverpool Housing Trust, planned a week of action called Murdishaw in Bloom.

Earthskills, the community project that connects people with nature, helped children build an arbour in the community garden.  And outdoor artist Gareth Arrowsmith, who recently painted a subway mural in Murdishaw, returned to make his mark on a shipping container.  These new features may help to secure a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) community award, as the garden has been shortlisted for the It’s Your Neighbourhood category.

Community engagement officer, Lorna Cotterill, said:  “It’s great to see children and adults getting involved during the last fine days of the summer holidays.  People have picked up new skills in planting and painting and even in identifying edible plant sources in our Out of the ground and into the kitchen sessions.”

Riverside contributed funding towards the project, to encourage health and well-being, as well community spirit and pride in its neighbourhoods.