A NEIGHBOURHOOD has reclaimed a park considered a no-go area for years.

Before planting a tree in Norfolk Square on Saturday during a mass planting day, Caroline Lucas said the community's efforts to beautify the space represented the " spirit of Brighton."

Families and children enjoyed a party in the park, with free hotdogs and scones being made and given away by volunteers while others planted flowers and shrubs.

Damian McGee, one of the organisers of the project, told The Argus that the process started last summer, with the introduction of community composting bins.

The scheme proved so popular, with 38 households involved, that local residents decided to go further. Damian explained: "We spent a year making the place nicer.

"We cleared out ten full bin bags of beer cans, we pulled up ivy, we picked up syringes.

"Norfolk Park was a bit notorious for anti-social behaviour, it was a considered a black spot until quite recently."

He said the group aimed to create a space where everyone felt a shared sense of ownership and welcome.

Seed funding for the project came in part from a grant from Brighton and Hove City Council, and in large part from local businesses including Small ?Batch coffee, Tanat-Jones estate agents and the nearby Robin Hood pub.

Both Hove MP Peter Kyle, and Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas, arrived to plant a shrub.

Ms Lucas spoke to the assembled volunteers, many of whom had been working hard all day to plant the 400 shrubs and plants the community has purchased at a cost of around £2,000.

she said: "Thank you for making this happen.

"What's happening here in Norfolk Square is the spirit of Brighton at its best. Not waiting for permission but getting together, businesses and the community together, and changing something.

"This is Brighton at its most wonderful, most creative."

Tomas Morren, a 28 year old graphic designer, and his girlfriend Christine Humphrey, 25, who works for an HIV charity, dropped by with a hyancinth to plant having just moved in to a property in Norfolk Terrace.

Christine said: "We're lived around here before, separately, and before this project, this was a pretty grim square and now it's love, just look at it and how many families are here."

Amy Kitching of East Brunswick Residents’ Association said: "Our project comes at a time when the council is making more and more cuts to budgets looking after parks and green spaces.

“There is anti-social problem in all our squares and we are trying to make a positive impact to tackle some of the issues.”