AFTER nearly four years in the making, a community garden project led by a Bridgwater police officer has finally had its grand opening.

PC Tony Freeman was joined by the Mayor of Bridgwater Steve Austen and more than 50 onlookers for the ribbon cutting ceremony in West Street on Wednesday.

Speaking to the Mercury at the opening, PC Freeman said: “I’m absolutely chuffed to bits with it ... it’s turned out better than I could have hoped, to be honest.

“Everyone involved from the landscapers to the councillors and to the kids who came down to paint the wall have all been excellent.”

Cllr Steve Austen, who had the honour of cutting the ribbon, said: “It really is marvellous to see it finally finished and it really is a wonderful garden for everyone to come and enjoy.

“It just goes to show what a community can do when they come together.”

The area at the top of West Street, which PC Freeman covers on his beat, had previously suffered from antisocial behaviour and neglect – a problem that was overcome thanks to his successful campaign to install a CCTV camera at the site.

Once the area was clear, the neighbourhood beat manager decided to make it a space that the residents of West Street could enjoy.

PC Freeman, along with councillors from Westover ward and Wyndham ward, ensured that the project received the funding necessary to go ahead.

However the ex-Royal Marine said that although securing the funds had been an effort, actually getting someone in to do the work proved more difficult.

PC Freeman continued: “I was let down so many times by various companies when I was trying to get someone in to design the garden and get it off the ground.

“Eventually I contacted Samson Landscaping and they’ve been massive in getting it finished.”

Dave Samson, who designed the garden, said: “Tony and I have been down here most days working to get the place finished and I really wanted to make sure it was done well.

“Tony’s attitude and commitment to getting it done was infectious and I think everyone involved worked that bit harder for him.”

The finishing touches were applied last week as students from Haygrove School came to paint a mural.

Teagan Waterman, 14, whose fairground design was chosen to go on the wall, said: “I’m really proud.

“It was a lot of fun coming down and doing the painting and now it’s all finished it looks amazing.”