A UNIQUE gardening scheme set up in Droitwich Spa has been handed a grant boost.

The Adopt-A-Garden initiative, launched by Age Concern Droitwich and District, has received £5,605 of financial support from the Worcestershire Partnership Health Improvement Fund.

The project aims to bring together younger people who require space to grow their own vegetables with some of the older generation who need some help maintaining their gardens.

The scheme aims to encourage people to take up gardening and highlights the health benefits of getting stuck in and growing your own food. Garden owners receive a share of produce grown in exchange for providing the space.

Trudy Pavitt, Age Concern services manager, said: "We are really excited by the potential of this project; bringing generations together and enabling people to experience the satisfaction of gardening and growing their own veg as well as helping older residents to stay active and make the most of their gardens."

Dr Richard Harling, Worcestershire's joint director of public health, added: "This is a great example of an innovative project which will help improve public health in a number of ways and across age groups."

The project, which is open to residents aged 18 and over, also receives funding from Droitwich Spa Area Partnership and is supported by Droitwich Spa Town Council.

For more information about 'Adopt a Garden', contact Trudy Pavitt at development@ageconcerndroitwich.co.uk To find out more about the Health Improvement Fund contact Traci Lloyd-Moore at traci.lloyd-moore@worcestershire.nhs.uk or 01905 733822.