A PATCH of derelict land on Skipton's Greatwood estate is to be named after a local girl who died after campaigning for more community facilities.

Vicki Cartman tragically lost her life in a car crash around two years ago.

Now the construction of the Vicki Cartman Millennium Green, near Whinny Gill reservoir, can begin thanks to a £44,000 environmental improvement initiative.

The residents of the Greatwood and Horse Close estate are proud to name the much-needed project after the teenager who campaigned tirelessly for improvements to the area.

Before she died two years ago, Vicki, of Greatwood Avenue, had drawn up a petition calling for more community facilities.

Now Craven District Council, which owns the site, is working with residents on the scheme and have agreed to grant a 999-year lease on the land.

Frances Burrows, of the Greatwood and Horse Close Community Association, said: "Vicki Cartman was one of the local teenagers who had campaigned so hard for a community area before her tragic death. We think the green will provide a fitting memorial to her.

"At the moment there are no facilities at all for people, particularly the young, in the Greatwood area so the green will provide a focus for the community."

Half the money for the scheme came from the environmental body Yorventure, and the rest came from the Countryside Commission.

The green will include separate areas for noisy and quiet play; a picnic area; a wildlife zone; dog proof grating and a kissing gate.

The Vicki Cartman Millennium Green will be one of 250 being created across the country to mark the turn of the century.

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