PEOPLE in West Devon are being asked to get out their spades and shovels and give food growing a go this summer.

BTCV's Carbon Army has teamed up with Climate Week to encourage people to grow their own food.

The Carbon Army campaign offers groups and individuals help to turn their food growing ambitions into reality. To get the campaign off to a flying start, BTCV, the environmental volunteering organisation, has asked members of its community network in Devon to get involved.

During world war two, the Ministry of Agriculture asked people to 'Dig for Victory' and turn over spare land to food growing. By 1943, more than a million tons of vegetables were being grown in gardens and allotments. The new worldwide threat is climate change, and BTCV believes that growing your own could once again play a vital role in winning the battle.

Fifty-three community groups in Devon have been contacted and urged to join the campaign, now BTCV wants communities in West Devon to join in too.

Whether it's by joining one of BTCV's existing food growing projects, setting up a new one or just growing what you can in your garden, planters or window boxes, the Carbon Army can help people do their bit for climate change during Climate Change Week from March 21 to 27.

Tom Flood, BTCV chief executive, said: 'Food transport has a huge environmental impact and food packaging makes up a third of household waste; if we all gave food growing a go we could make a real difference to carbon emissions.

'Even if you haven't got much space, you can grow things like tomatoes and strawberries in baskets or herbs on your windowsill. If you need a bit of help, BTCV's food growing projects are a great way of getting started with plenty of support.'

To get involved, sign up for the Carbon Army at http://www.btcv.org">www.btcv.org and receive some free seeds to get you started.