Charles Darwin will have a perfect 'view' at the official opening of the Ilkley Millennium gardens that will bear his name.

The Origin of the Species author, who stayed in Ilkley while writing his controversial book, will be remembered on a special plaque at the West View Park site. The plaque has been commissioned by the Darwin Gardens Trust and will be produced by former Ilkley resident and White Wells Cottage tenant, Jean Stockham, and mounted on a boulder.

Scheme leader Dr Peter Harnett said: "It may be possible to use a boulder from the moor for the base of the monument, which will be located within sight of North View on Crossbeck Road, the house which Darwin and his family occupied during his stay in Ilkley."

Dr Harnett said: "The monument, to be entitled Darwin's View, will commemorate the first publication of his book The Origin of the Species, an epoch-making event which took place whilst the world-famous naturalist stayed here." The Darwin Trust is waiting to hear if it will receive a major boost to its fundraising efforts.

"The scheme at Darwin Gardens could become a Millennium Green if the trustees' on-going application to the Countryside Agency reaches a successful outcome. Acceptance onto the Millennium Greens programme would boost the project, by attracting funds distributed by the Millennium Commission from National Lottery.''

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