A COMMUNITY wood will be created in memory of former MP Jo Cox, who was murdered three years ago.

Work has already begun on creating the wood on a site in Liversedge, which will have 2,000 trees and plants, an outdoor classroom and wheelchair friendly paths.

It follows the award of a £28,000 grant towards the project to Spen Valley Civc Society, the organisation behind the scheme.

The announcement comes ahead of the third anniversary of the Batley and Spen MP's death, which will be marked on Sunday.

The woodland site, at Quaker Lane, is currently pasture land and a small existing wood, which is in poor condition and infested with Himalayan Balsam. Old fences are also in a bad state of repair.

Thanks to the funding from Biffa Award, the site can now be totally transformed by creating new fences, paths and gates, installing picnic tables, benches and an outdoor classroom, and restoring the woodland for wildlife. Additional funding and ongoing support is being provided by Kirklees Council.

Jo’s family has worked closely with the Civic Society in planning the project and Jo’s sister Kim Leadbeater, ambassador for The Jo Cox Foundation, has been part of the volunteer team.

Kim said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to Spen Valley Civic Society for developing this fantastic project in Jo’s name; it is an honour and a privilege to play a small part in it.

"Jo was passionate about nature - she would love the idea of an outdoor facility which can be used by the whole community, and her children will be very excited to come and spend time in Mummy’s wood."

The wood will be free to enter and open 365 days of the year. It can be reached easily from adjoining footpaths and the Spen Valley Greenway cycle route, and will be the only public woodland of its kind in the area. There will be good access into and around the site for disabled visitors.

Max Rathmell, chairman of the Civic Society and project leader said: “This is a terrific scheme which will create a community asset that can be enjoyed by everyone. Just as importantly, it will also benefit wildlife through the nature-friendly habitat we’re developing."

A wide range of native trees and perennial wildflower plants will be planted with an emphasis on nectar-producing flowering plants which are attractive to insects.

Work started last month when volunteers removed most of the derelict fencing, saving the best timbers for re-use when creating edgings for the new paths.

After the initial scrub-clearing work and installation of paths and fences has been completed, volunteers, including children from ten local schools, will help to plant the trees, hedges and wildflowers needed to create the woodland during the coming winter.

Finally, in conjunction with the Jo Cox Foundation, a Jo Cox oak tree will be planted in early 2020 before the site officially opens to the public.