A BURLEY-in-Wharfedale man is hoping his green dream will finally come true next month.

Community council member Tom Sumner has revealed to Wharfedale Newspapers the date for the official opening of the village green extension.

Mr Sumner has spent months planning an extension to the original village green, opened in 1996, and with a willing team of Saturday morning volunteers, has gradually extended it.

He said: "I am aiming to have the official opening on June 20. That should be quite a day for the village as the village millennium duck race will also take place on that day."

The duck race, now in its third year, has proved very popular with villagers.

Mr Sumner said: "I am very pleased with the way the village green extension has developed.

"A lot of people have given their time to the project and I am just hoping we will have enough funds to really complete the job as I would like it."

As well as the newly laid paths, trees and flowers, Mr Sumner is hoping the bridge across the stream will be a popular feature when completed. He is also hoping to develop a water feature for the green extension.

"So far we (the community council) have spent about £9,000 on the extension, and all this money has been raised through donations."

Mr Sumner said the community council was very grateful to everyone who has contributed towards the project. Without the generosity of such funding, there was no way Mr Sumner could have seen the extension develop.

Community council members have expressed frustration and irritation that they have been unable to secure any millennium funding for the project - all inquiries have met with rejection.

"Further donations would still be appreciated as would continued support from volunteers," said Mr Sumner.

Finally, Mr Sumner is determined the official opening should not be a low key affair.

"I am hoping a celebrity will perform the honours although I don't want to reveal too much about that at this stage," he said.

Ducks for the millennium duck race (the money raised will go towards the village's millennium celebrations) will be on sale shortly.

Anyone requiring further information can contact Mr Sumner on 01943 862940.

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