RENOVATION work in the centre of Eldene is finally finished - eight months after it originally started.

The £230,000 effort to spruce up the area near the community centre and Crumpled Horn pub began in December and, according to a neighbour, had been mostly completed by May.

But progress came to a halt because the last part of the project had not yet been put in place - the new streetlights.

The neighbour, who did not wish to be named, complained that people in the area could not cross the fenced-off site and had to use a shoddy footpath around the back of the pub to get past.

Now, two months later, the streetlights have been installed and the work is complete.

The neighbour told the Adver: "It looks nice now that it's finally finished, though I do wonder why this last bit took so long.

""I spoke to the contractors a while back and they said they were all done but they have been waiting ages for the council to put the lights in and resurface the path.

"Every time I've tried to contact the council to find out what's causing the delay, no-one seems to know."

The renovation includes a new look for the school’s entrance, including a feature gate in the school colours and an oak branch inlay, referencing the school’s oak tree logo.

And the scheme added a brand new garden space alongside the community centre with feature lighting, planting and a new paved access point.

A Swindon Borough Council spokesman said: “We’re pleased to have finished the majority of the work at the Eldene Community Centre.

"We look forward to welcoming residents and groups in as soon as possible.

“As part of the work, the council has refurbished the ‘beach’ area of the site and has also enhanced existing planting beds and added bee friendly plants.

"New cycle racks and upgraded seating have also been added creating a new enclosed outdoor space for people who use the centre.

“All that is left to go is the installation of new LED pedestrian lighting which we hope will be completed in the near future.”

The lighting was installed shortly after the Adver received this comment.