A new community gardening project has been launched in Holme Wood.

The Holme View residential and day care centre in Gillingham Green has opened up its grounds to allow four allotment plots to be used by community groups.

The Grow Your Own scheme aims to help youngsters and older people work together.

A launch event was well attended despite poor weather, with plant displays sold by Springwood Community Gardens, fruit kebabs on offer, a tombola, book sale and information stalls.

Event organiser Pam Riley, of the Holme Wood Executive, said: “It was nice for about three quarters of an hour and then the heavens opened. It’s been fantastic we had a really good turnout, people were walking away with plants.

“It’s to get residents interested in gardening and to get community groups all working together, to form partnerships. People in the nursing home who may have been gardeners in their younger days are seeing things happening and getting involved with what’s going on.”