RESIDENTS are being invited to try out their green fingered skills and help revitalise a community allotment.

The plot in Sedgley Park, now owned by Incredible Edible Prestwich and District, has been unused for some years, but the group is hoping to breath some new life back into the space.

The project is being led by Joan Mulvenna, a Royal Horticultural Society Gold Medal winner, alongside the Eat Pennines social enterprise group and their trainee volunteers from Heaton Park— after Incredible Edible secured a £1,500 grant from the Parklife Community Fund.

Ms Mulvenna said: "We are lucky enough to have a small plot on the allotment and we are hoping to get people from the local area to come down.

"It would be great if we could get members coming from different community groups such as the Jewish, Muslim and Polish communities, and the space would provide a natural place for people to get some enjoyment out of gardening."

The first session to revitalise the plot in Albert Avenue will take place on July 6 between 10.30am and 5pm.

Budding gardeners will be able to muck in and help dig up and weed the plot to clear space to plant some vegetables.

Spaces will be provided for people who might not be able to stand up or bend down for long periods of time and children will able to get involved with harvesting some potatoes.

Ms Mulvenna, who runs her own gardening business, Garden Design Manchester, said: "The session is open to anyone from the area, especially those who want to find out how to grow their own vegetables, or are thinking about getting their own allotment but aren't sure how to go about it."

Incredible Edible Prestwich and District was founded in 2010 after being inspired by the similar project of the same name, in Tottington.

After collecting signatures at the Prestwich Clough Day a public meeting was held and the group was formed, and it now seeks to encourage a community approach to growing and eating local produce.

Ms Mulvenna, who won a gold medal at a Royal Horticultural Society show in 2014, and was named Best in Show, said: "It is all about celebrating locally grown food and encouraging people to do more of that.

"It's amazing how, through the group, you get to know people that live quite near but that you would never have got to know otherwise.

"And there's so much evidence that being being outside is hugely beneficial to physical and mental wellbeing."

To join in with the revitalisation session email joan@garden-design-manchester.co.uk, or for more information on Incredible Edible Prestwich visit iepad.co.uk.