Yorkshire contractors have started work on the first phase of a £4 million project to develop Tong Garden Centre near Bradford...

Leeds based Jennings has been contracted to do the demolition work and East Yorkshire based family business Ashcourt has been appointed as the main ground workers on the project, which includes a new plant canopy, an indoor play area and an events centre.

Tong's MD Mark Farnsworth said: "In our continued support of, and investment in, the Yorkshire economy, we have appointed Yorkshire tradesmen wherever possible.

"We estimate that £2.5 million of the £4 million investment will be spent with Yorkshire firms, including Jennings, Ashcourt, the mechanical and electrical systems contractors and businesses like Total Flooring that will be involved in the fit out. This can only be good for the regional economy."

Work on the new plant canopy is expected to be completed by April and the indoor play and events centre is scheduled to open in July.

The work is the first phase of a two year development plan.

Subsequent developments include a new two storey building and restaurant in May 2020 and the development of the lakeside space to build log cabins for educational and horticultural use in 2021.