After dreaming for years of having a smart area for neighbours to meet up, residents in a Coventry community are seeing their hopes realised in just two days.

Graduate trainees from across the country and local youngsters are teaming up to revamp a community centre and garden in Prior Deram Walk, Canley.

The 'Ground Force' style project is a joint initiative between the Council's Area Co-ordination South West Team and Business in the Community.

Volunteers will include children in the Canley Young at Heart Group, aged between 10 and 14, and graduate trainees who work for companies signed up to a Business in the Community initiative.

The children have been instrumental in drawing up a wish-list of improvements in the area, along with adults who formed Heart of Canley Residents Association three years ago.

Area Co-ordination South West have been working with the group to help apply their ideas, and have funded the scheme along with Heart of England Community Foundation 

Tasks for the two days include:

• a barbecue area which will be created using a gravel base
• a path to be carved out of an overgrown grassed area creating a winding path with log rolls and bark chippings
• and plant border, painted tubs and pots with shrubs and bulbs
• a new coat of paint on the outside of the community centre.

Twelve graduates from National Grid offices up and down the country will be lending a hand.

The company, which has its UK headquarters nearby in Kirby Corner Road is one of twelve local businesses that make up the Canley and Tile Hill Business Forum.

The Forum was recently set up and to support community work in the area.

Cllr Dave Batten (Lab, Westwood), one of the local ward councillors, said:

"The local young people and volunteers are an excellent example to others. The garden is their idea and I'm delighted to see that it's starting to take shape."

Brian Tillyer, Business in the Community co-ordinator, added:

"We arranged a tour of the area for local businesses last year, which inspired the Forum members.

“This project will sustain that enthusiasm and provide the basis for future schemes in Canley."