WORK to rejuvenate a Bingley park has taken a leap forward as hard-working volunteers were able to make use of machinery loaned for the day.

On Saturday a digger and dumper arrived at the Prince of Wales Park to move tones of rock, soil and debris to open up a 19th century structure.

Members of the Friends group that was set up five years ago had been unearthing the structure and had been using a hands on approach, meaning the clearance operation had taken a number of months.

But with the loan of the equipment from the local depot of plant hire firm Chippindale, they were able to quickly excavate the site of the shelter on Saturday.

Chairman of the Friends of Prince of Wales Park, Allan Mirfield told the Telegraph & Argus: "As a group we have worked for five years now largely with manual labour in this 20-acre Grade II listed park. It was wonderful on Saturday to have machines on loan gratis.

"We have been unearthing a 19th century structure that was partly a public shelter, partly a park workers' mess - complete with rustic fireplace."

He added that they had already unearthed the workers' mess but with the help of the equipment at the weekend, they were able to excavate the site of the shelter.

The 71-year-old, of Grange Road, Eldwick, added that they now hoped to fundraise for some much needed railings to go along the steps throughout the steep site.

The group was awarded a £50,000 grant from waste group WREN in 2014 and was able to carry out improvements including resurfacing the drives and paths, renovating the seating areas around the site and adding new memorial benches.

In addition they installed picnic tables and timber children's play areas, welcome signs at the entrances, as well as interpretation boards and wooden signposts.

The group received a Bingley Community Award from Bradford Council for Special Neighbourhood Impact and also a prestigious Duke of York Community Initiative Award.

The park’s 150th anniversary was marked with a celebration event at the site which was attended by 1,000 people.

Mr Mirfield is current researching a book about the history of the park and would like to hear from people with memories of it. He can be contacted by email on allan.mirfield@blueyonder.co.uk.

The first turf was cut on March 10, 1863, the wedding day of the then Prince of Wales, and the park was named after him.

By the time of the opening of the park in 1865, a total of 15,000 trees had been planted, including 50 sent by the Prince of Wales, which resulted in the woodland being Grade II listed for being of special historic interest.