Burley-in-Wharfedale's Village Green extension has received a fantastic boost in the form of an anonymous donation of £3,000.

The substantial donation alone covers around a third of the cost of the project, which is progressing steadily at the hands of dedicated volunteers.

The donation is the largest of several that have come in over the last month for the project to further enhance the appearance and the community potential of the area between the existing village green and nearby houses.

Burley Community Council member Mike Harris said: "The cost of the village green extension has been more than £9,000 of voluntary resources.

"It will be open before too long, but we welcome an enormous donation of £3,000 that is going to keep the work going on. That is quite a significant proportion of the total cost as one donation.

"There have been several other smaller donations over the last month as well. Every donation is important, but a spectacular one of £3,000 is a lot of money to be given towards the village."

One of the additional features to the project that has caught attention is the building of a bridge as part of the extension.

Mr Harris said: "Many people have noticed that the bridge being build over the stream is taking a while. This is because it is being built to last, it is a nice solid construction.

"Seats have been installed, which really makes the whole thing into a park and hopefully one that will continue to benefit the community.

"I think we are looking at it in another couple of months. Burley Community Council member Tom Sumner, as ever, does a lot of work, but the main volunteer team does work on a Saturday morning."

As well as extending community greenspace for the project, Burley Community Council is also keen to preserve land at Burley House field, owned by Bradford Council.

Mr Harris said: "For a long time we have been seeking to have the half of that field, which has not been allocated to development, kept and formally allocated as village green space.

"I think it really is important that what is at the moment an open area next to one of the only grade one listed buildings in the village is kept from development.

"I think we are just keen to make sure as many people as possible know that we are doing our best to make sure this is kept as green space."

Mr Harris said that half of the field was already set to be developed, but that efforts would continue to retain the other half as permanent green space.

He said: "One half will go to development in due course. That is a battle fought and lost, but we need to win the other battle."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.