A BID to transform Rossendale into a vegetable haven has been launched by a Haslingden couple.

Joanna and Paul Scott-Bates are on a mission to radically alter Valley diets by 2020 after the launch of the Incredible Edible Project.

The couple have joined forces with Souta Creagh from the Stubby Lee Community Greenhouse in Bacup to persuade Rossendale residents to grow their own vegetables.

The first meeting of the Incredible Edible team saw leaders Joanna and Paul set their targets for the coming year.

Paul said: “We were bowled over by how many people came to the meeting at the library, it was brilliant.

“The aim is to get people in the borough to eat more vegetables for their health and also to brighten up the Valley.

“In Todmorden the project is taking off and we wanted to do the same thing here in Haslingden.

“It would be fantastic to see vegetable trees grown throughout the town, so people could go and pick a leek, or some herbs whenever they wanted.”

Paul and Joanna are in talks with councillors, business owners and schools to promote the scheme.

A website forum has now been launched as part of the project and has already seen 30 people sign up online.

By 2020 the group is hoping to have secured orchards for community gardening thro-ughout the borough.

Coun Jason Gledhill, resp-onsible for the council’s lesiure strategy, said: “Community ventures like this are always welcome and if the council can support it in anyway we'd be pleased to hear their ideas.

“The project is also in line with the council's recent report that agreed further support for developing allotments across the borough.”

Paul said: “The aim is to inspire the community to break off into small groups to create and maintain vegetable growth.”

The group’s next meeting will take place at Haslingden Library on February 10 at 7.30pm.

For more information visit www.ierossendale.ning.com.