CELEBRATIONS will be held at a green oasis in the heart of East Oxford, marking seven years of providing a tranquil space for visitors.

Barracks Lane Community Garden will open its doors on Sunday for its summer party, as it embarks on its eight year.

Hundreds of residents across the area are expected to join the afternoon festivities at the garden which welcomed more than 6,000 people last year.

Founder member and secretary John Green said: "It's fantastic because there was a lot of doubt early on about whether we could make it successful."It's a much-loved and supported community garden. We are all community members and we make sure that what we do there reflects what the community wants and needs."It's blown all of us away who have been involved from the start. When we feel down about life we go in there for 10 minutes and we become rejuvenated and we remember why we got involved in the first place."

Grandfather-of-seven Mr Green said a group of residents came together in 2002 to transform the garden site, which then housed 'dilapidated' garages, burnt-out cars, pollution and asbestos.

He said the group initially just wanted to make the site safe, but ended up transforming it into a "green community asset".

Five years later and the site had been transformed into a haven for people in the local area.

Mr Green, of Kenilworth Avenue, said: "It's been incredibly hard work. It's amazing that we have kept it thriving."

Celebrations on Sunday, between 2pm and 6.30pm, will also mark volunteers renewing their lease for the garden with Oxford City Council, this time for 15 years.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith and the Lord Mayor of Oxford Rae Humberstone will join the garden celebrations during a special ceremony at 2.30pm.

The pair will open a new area of land in the community garden, made possible after a £9,650 from the National Lottery Awards for All programme.

Mr Green said volunteers hope the new "secluded" space, which boasts a few blossoming trees, will be used to host quiet picnics and workshops.

Festivities will also mark new kitchen facilities at the community garden, including a stainless steel sink and preparation area, after volunteers received a grant from the St Michael and All Saint's Charity.

Music will play during the celebrations and African and Caribbean food will be on offer as well as tasty treats provided by youth group Name It who use the garden every Saturday evening.

Mr Green added: "There are less and less community spaces and community centres with funding being withdrawn all the time."This is another way people can gather together and have a space where people can express ideas, share food and experiences in a safe environment."

Garden coordinator Jacqui Mansfield said: "The aim of all our work is to make the garden a wonderful community space for everyone to use and enjoy."

See barrackslanegarden.org.uk