THE much-awaited sale of Halesowen’s historic walled garden has finally gone through, paving the way for it to become a major tourist attraction.

Ownership of the unique garden in the heart of the Grade 1 listed Leasowes Park has passed from Birmingham Metropolitan College to the Hales Owen Abbey Trust for an undisclosed sum.

It follows months of negotiations and fundraising to meet the £20,000 shortfall in the trust’s coffers.

Trust secretary Mick Freer said: “I am delighted we have been able to secure the walled garden as an asset for the community.”

Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris congratulated the trust on completing the purchase of the walled garden saying: “The Leasowes Walled Garden could be a real jewel in the crown of Halesowen’s local heritage and buying it for the whole community is a remarkable achievement.

“None of this would have been possible without the incredible vision and commitment of the Hales Owen Abbey Trust, who have worked so hard when the odds of success seemed small.”

An appeal has now been launched for volunteers to help restore the garden to its former glory.

It was last used by special needs horticultural students at Stourbridge College, prior to their relocation in Kidderminster two years ago.

The college was later taken over by the Birmingham Metropolitan College, which put the garden up for sale as surplus to requirement earlier this year.

Mr Freer said the garden is in a “poor state” – overgrown and the greenhouses and other buildings have been vandalised.

Mr Morris added: “I hope that everybody who can help to restore the garden will do everything they can to turn this into the local treasure that we all know it could be.”

Anyone wishing to help should contact Mr Freer on 07855473045.