A 17th century Quaker burial ground has been saved from developers.

For hundreds of years the site in Westfield Lane opposite Idle Cricket ground was engulfed in a tangle of weeds and brambles.

But when residents in surrounding streets found out a developer was trying to buy the land - which has distinctive flat headstones - they intervened.

Tomorrow, thanks to their efforts a planting ceremony will take place to mark the reopening of the fully restored burial ground

Ken Duesbery, whose home is next to the site, said: "The graveyard was opened in 1690 when the land was purchased from Carcass End Farm by the Quakers.

"They were going to sell it to a builder last summer but we did not want to lose it, so we set up a committee of local residents who wanted to save it and met at the White Bear pub."

They contacted the Bradford Quakers and volunteers from the Bradford Cathedral Centre's Conservation and Life in the Community (CALICO) organisation set about the task of tidying up the plot.

Edna Woodhouse, clerk of the Bradford Quaker Meeting, said: "It's belonged to the Quakers for more than 300 years but had fallen into a terrible state of disrepair.

"The lovely coping stones around the wall had been stolen but there were still 30 bodies in there and we were delighted when the residents said they wanted to save it."

Maria Nogueira of CALICO said about 15 to 20 people with learning difficulties, mental health problems and the long-term unemployed were involved in the restoration.

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Lib Dem, Idle) said there was a threat to develop the site which was staved off.

She added: "The burial ground is a very important piece of history and is referred to in most of the definitive works about Idle. It could have been lost forever but for the efforts of these people. "

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