A GROUP of green-fingered residents are hoping to turn their town into a community growing haven.

Incredible Edible Darwen wants to turn unused spaces in public areas into free-for-all vegetable patches and herb gardens.

The group, inspired by the success of schemes in Todmorden and across the Pennines, hope it will encourage local growing and healthy eating.

Talks have already taken place with individuals which the group hope will lead to mini gardens at the railway station, an allotment site and a primary school in the coming months.

They are now looking for budding participants to help get the project off the ground and will host their first public meeting on Monday.

One of those behind the scheme, Peta Bolan, said: “A few of us got together online after an advert was put out to start a community growing group.

“We thought that a lot of people in Darwen could benefit from getting involved in the project in terms of learning how to grow healthy food and using gardening as a way to keep them active.

“Some of the initial sites we hope to work on are in quite deprived areas so the produce could potentially be used to help struggling families.

“We want to work with individuals, organisations and businesses who have ideas for other pieces of land we could use to grow edible crops and participants who have the enthusiasm to help us maintain the plots we create.

“We will also welcome any donations of seeds, compost and tools to help with planting whilst we establish funding sources. We’re really excited about the scheme and are very thankful to the council and all those other individuals who have already been in touch to offer their support.”

The meeting will start at 7.30pm at the Craven Heifer pub in Pole Lane.

To find out, visit www.facebook. com/incrEdibleDarwen or e-mail incredible.edibledarwen@gmail. com