GREEN-fingered volunteers are encouraging local families to get their hands dirty in an innovative project to get more households growing their own.

Amanda Godber is the driving force behind the Down to Earth cooperative, a volunteer-run project in the Stroud district aimed at getting people growing their own fruit and vegetables in their back gardens.

She and her team of volunteers have spent the last year digging up people’s lawns to create new growing spaces, and despite their council funding coming to an end they don’t plan to stop now.

"We really want to keep this going and if possible extend it and create some kind of gardening club," said Amanda, a gardener by trade.

The Down to Earth Cooperative is now offering households in Dursley help to set up their very own veg patch.

Two households in the Kingshill Estate have already taken Amanda up on the offer.

Nikki Cairns, a mother-of-four, has just started planting up her new vegetable garden and even volunteers at the local children’s vegetable patch on the estate.

"I’ve really enjoyed it," she said. "I did it for the children really so they could see where their food comes from."

An initial grant of £4,000 from Stroud District Council covered all the set up costs and gardening equipment. The team are approached by someone wanting the start gardening they will discuss plans for what the household wants and then help create the space. They can then supply a sample of plants to get the growers started, as well as offering on-going advice.

Amanda is passionate about ethical food and sustainability and believes everyone should turn over an area of their garden to grow food.

"I think the Icelandic ash cloud was a good example of what could happen to this country if we don’t produce enough of our own food in the future. With no flights coming in the supermarket shelves soon got empty and people started to panic," said Amanda, who has grown organic vegetables at her home in Stroud for 20 years.

"I think it is important people eat healthy food and I also think it is important for children to understand the food chain."

Amanda and the other volunteers have all been on a organic food production course and are keen to encourage a natural approach to gardening.

If you are interested in growing your own and live in the Dursley area contact Amanda on 01453 700 011 or visit www.downtoearth.coop for more details.