AN alleyway once notorious for antisocial behaviour and the scene of Troubles-related shootings has been transformed into an urban oasis thanks to some green-fingered locals.
The entry at Northwick Drive in north Belfast has been cleared of all graffiti and rubbish and filled with a riotous display of hanging baskets and flowerpots as part of the Ardoyne & Marrowbone Community Festival.
Despite being the first year of the festival, it has already been a big hit with residents.
People have been asked to 'pay admission' to events by bringing an item of canned or dried food to be donated to a food bank to help families in need.
With community at the heart of the festival, an idea to transform a once grim alleyway into a green and pleasant passageway for 50 homes got underway this week.
Marie McKee, one of the driving forces behind the initiative, said people used to take pride in cleaning and maintaining the alleyways and it is about getting that community spirit back.
"We had the alleyway cleared of all rubbish and weeds and power hosed. We then had to paint most of the walls because of graffiti," she said.
"There will be a mixture of hanging baskets and ivy on alternate walls and it should look really beautiful when it all takes hold.
"We did a survey of the houses and the residents all signed up to maintaining the patch outside their back gates.
"There's around 18 alleyways in the district and we'd like to work with people to eventually transform them all, bringing the real pride of old back to the district."
The festival runs until Sunday and details are on Facebook and Twitter at #ArdBoneFest or by phoning 028 9071 5165.
