NETHERTHIRD Community Development Garden has installed new accessibility equipment to help make the garden as disabled friendly as possible.

The garden, now in its fifth year, has been improved with new disability friendly play equipment and upgraded paths thanks to a £3,270 donation from the Bank Community Fund.

Margaret Campbell, director at Netherthird Community Development Group, said: “It is really great that we have been able to make these improvement with the help of the grant from Banks Community Fund.

“Installing equal access play equipment and paths will mean even more of the local community are able to enjoy the garden, invoking a strong sense of community that really can be seen in the gardens.”

The upgrades mean that local disability groups and schools are now able to make full use of the garden which is maintained and developed by an army of 30 volunteers.

Jeannie Kielty, community relations manager at Banks Renewables, said: “The Netherthird Community Garden is a great example of the kinds of projects we love to work with.

“Not only improving the appearance of the neighbourhood, but involving the whole community – it really is a great venture.”

Banks Renewables are the firm behind proposals for the Lethans windfarm which, if approved, would see 22 turbines installed in East Ayrshire providing 74.8MW of electricity.

The Lethans windfarm would contribute approximately £8million over the 25 year lifetime of the project towards community initiatives, through a community fund, in addition to a £250,000 investment towards the creation of mountain biking facilities with improved access to the site for cycling and walking.

Ms Campbell added: “I would love for the windfarm to go ahead.

“This would benefit the community immensely.”