A MEMORIAL garden created in memory of footballers and people in a town will be unveiled this weekend.

Following several years of planning the Turf Moor Memorial Garden will finally be opened to the public during a short ceremony on Sunday.

It will be attended by former Burnley FC manager, Frank Casper and current club directors Clive Holt and Barry Kilby. The Mayor of Burnley, Cllr Charlie Briggs, will be cutting the ribbon.

During the service the ashes of former club chairman, Frank Teasdale and legendary striker Peter Noble will be the first to be scattered.

The garden, located behind the Jimmy Mcllroy stand at Burnley's ground, was the 'brainchild' of Claret fan and current Mayor’s consort, Pete Briggs.

Pete said: “The idea was to create a place of remembrance not only the football club but the history of the town and its people. So we formed a community interest company to take the project forward.”

The former Burnley Council owned park was developed by Sustainable Projects Ltd following fundraising over the last few years, culminating in Burnley Football Club donating £30,000.

Memorial wall plaques have started to be erected with one for former club chairman, Frank Teasdale, already in situ.

Veronica Simpson, secretary of the Turf Moor Memorial Garden, said: “Frank’s ashes have been securely stored at Turf Moor since he sadly passed away two years ago with the intention of waiting until the memorial garden was completed.

"It’s fitting that him and Peter should be some of the first to be remembered in the memorial garden.”

Pete added: “We hope everyone respects the memorial garden now that phase one has been completed and we intend to add and improve as our fundraising continues.

"We’d like to thank Burnley FC and Sustainable Projects for their continued support.”

The ceremony will take place at 11am on Sunday before the Watford game.

Anyone interested in donating or purchasing a memorial wall plaque can do so via www.turfmoormemorialgarden.com