Volunteers restore ancient garden

The gardens are now back to their 17th Century state

A 17th Century West Yorkshire garden has been restored to its former glory thanks to a group of volunteers.

The gardens of Oakwell Hall, in Batley, have been transformed from a wrangle of weeds to a wealth of flowers and trees.

The hall was once the home of aspiring 17th Century businessman Henry Batt and was Charlotte Bronte's basis for Fieldhead in her novel, Shirley.

The Friends of Oakwell Hall have worked for 18 months to recreate the garden to how it would have looked in its heyday.

The hall, which was built more than 400-years-ago, is owned by Kirklees Council and maintained by the volunteers.

Richard Aspinall, one of those who worked on the garden, said: "Any gardener that says the garden is finished wants taken out and shooting.

"There is a lot more to do - but we've got the bones of it done."