A GARDENING consortium which has played a major part in brightening up Rossendale is planning on expanding.

Bacup Consortium Trust, who took over the running of the greenhouses as part of the 'Close to the Hedge' social enterprise, has had a successful summer after selling 35,000 bedding plants to Rossendale Borough Council.

The plants, which include geraniums, begonias and petulias, have been placed in parks, open spaces and cemeteries across the borough as well as hanging baskets in Stubby Lee Park.

Now volunteers at the not-for-profit social enterprise, which was initially funded by the Bacup and Stackstead Single Regeneration budget, are hoping that their success will enable them to expand the range of products they grow.

Di Van Ruitenbeek, from the group, said: "All the profit we make goes back into the community and the project.

"As well as the council we have also been successful in selling the plants to local residents and and community groups and we are looking for new clients for 2008.

"The council buying the bedding plants was a great boost for the enterprise because it gave us a large order to get started with."

Volunteers grow the plants in greenhouses in the park after the trust leased the council greenhouses for 25 years.

They are hoping to be able to expand upon the vegetables currently grown in the green houses next year. Presently they grow field crops, tomatoes and herbs.

Ms Ruitenbeek said: "Next year we are hoping to be able to expand upon the range of vegetables we grow because we will be able to start planting earlier than April."

The greenhouses are open to the public for selling from noon to 3pm every Sunday with special open days held on the first Sunday of each month.

Anyone interested in volunteering can call 01706 879553 or 07790761747.