A garden run by volunteers commemorating the deaths of nearly 3,000 people has been praised by judges in a competition.

The High Royds Memorial Garden, was only officially opened in July, but has already received acclaim from the judges of Yorkshire In Bloom during their inspection of Menston.

The village received a silver gilt rose award in the contest, and judges commented on the memorial garden in Buckle Lane, on a plot of land on the former site of the High Royds psychiatric hospital, where 2,861 former patients were buried in unmarked paupers' graves.

“The project is a fine example of what can be achieved by a few hard-working people,” judges said.

They described the garden as “local heritage on a large scale”, and “as well as a restoration project it provides green space and more importantly acknowledges the local history of the hospital”.

The Friends of High Royds Memorial Garden owns the land and its chapel after a lengthy legal battle, and now want to work on the upkeep of the area.

Friends’ chairman, Ron Sweeney said he was delighted with the offical report and acknowledged the work of committee members, the Big Lottery Grant and other contributors.

“It would not have been possible without the 140 shareholders and the volunteers who gave so generously in terms of money and work commitment,” he said. “It was, and is, truly a community effort.”

While phase one, the completion of the garden, has been such a success, phase two, the work on the chapel, still needs to be completed.

The honorary secretary, of the Friends group, councillor Quentin Mackenzie, who is also chairman of the Menston In Bloom committee said Menston can be proud of the work that has been carried in the village generally, and the garden will require regular attention to keep and develop it.

Regular fundraising activities will be carried out on behalf of the chapel and garden, and anyone who can help or has suggestions can contact Coun Mackenzie on (01943) 876625.