WORK has started on the £40,000 remodelling of Ardrossan’s Garden of Remembrance to allow services and ceremonies to be held off the public road.

The project came about as a result of collaboration between local councillors, church groups and North Ayrshire Council who will provide the funding.

The north wall on the Civic Centre side of the Garden is being repaired and lowered to allow Remembrance parades to assemble in the centre’s car park.

In previous years, Remembrance Sunday parades had to gather along the pavement if Glasgow Street had not been closed to traffic, meaning some attendees were unable to view the ceremony properly. The work will also ensure the safety and stability of the wall.

Trees which have been eroding the wall’s foundation are being removed but will be replaced with newly planted ones nearby.

In addition, a new pedestrian access point will be created to include a ramped path, ensuring the area is more accessible for wheelchair users.

The Glasgow Street boundary walls, which are also in a poor condition, are being given a full cosmetic overhaul to preserve their integrity for the future.

The work will be completed in time for this year's Remembrance parades and ceremonies.

Additional works funded by the community will have red bricks used on the pathways in an echo of last year’s impressive display of ceramic poppies around the Tower of London.

Fundraising with the aim of raising the £15,000 necessary to provide the red brick paving has been going on over the summer with help from local Legion Scotland members, however, the fund is currently short of its target.

Reverend Jim Smith from the nearby EU Congregational Church and a member of the Three Towns Churches Group said: “If any local people or businesses would like to donate, I am happy to go and visit them and collect monies and personally say thank you.” Jim can be contacted on 01294 469378 or by email on james1950@tiscali.co.uk.