WORK will begin on Britain’s smallest park this weekend.

A group of Darlington residents have banded together to create Councillor Gerald Lee Park on a tiny site in the town.

The unkempt patch of land nestled underneath an advertising billboard is about to be transformed in a bid to snatch the title of the country’s smallest park – currently held by Prince’s Park in the Borough of Lichfield.

Measuring about 25 square metres, the park – named after Darlington mayor Councillor Lee – will be an “environmentally aware space” featuring plants, free drainage and a recycled bench, as well as two “wish bushes” where visitors can pay tribute to loved ones or write their hopes for the future.

The park, at the corner of South Feethams and Victoria Embankment, is being created by members of the South Terrace Residents Association in conjunction with Guerilla Gardeners Darlington Division.

The team is now appealing for volunteers to join them for the Big Dig, taking place on Saturday, June 7 between 10am and 1pm.

Volunteers should meet in the back lane of South Terrace and are invited to take on a variety of roles, from digging and weeding to helping to distribute refreshments.