RESIDENTS of the twin villages of Wykeham and Ruston near Scarborough have completed an ambitious and unique Millennium project which was formally opened last weekend by Viscountess Downe.

An 18th century ice house which had been discarded and used as a rubbish dump for generations behind the parish church of St Helen's and All Saints has been completely restored by volunteers who spent many weekend hours undertaking the work and creating a walk along the old railway track between the villages.

In addition, a Millenniumn stone has been erected depicting Celtic designs which would have been typical of those seen in the area about a thousand years ago, guiding pilgrims and walkers.

Elaine Day, who with her husband Laurence helped mastermind the project, said it was in October 1999 that villagers decided to create a commemoration of the Millennium. The following month volunteers started work on emptying the ice house of rubbish which had been thrown into it over many years.

A grant of nearly £9900 was awarded by the Millennium Commission for the project. "We had to match it in kind and donations" said Elaine.

Meanwhile extensive work was carried out on the Millennium walk, through the ancient Fish Pond Woods, part of the old Scarborough to Pickering railway line, and past the parish church and nearby Downe Arms.

Lady Downe praised the volunteer helpers saying "They have done a tremendous job and created a wonderful project to mark the Millennium. A great deal of hard work was put into the restoration scheme and creating the walk".

Updated: 11:35 Thursday, December 06, 2001