A COMMUNITY garden project is looking for volunteers next month to help spruce up the garden for spring.

Growing Our Future, based primarily at Okehampton College, is looking for volunteers to take part in their spring workday on Saturday February 16 to help sort the garden out for springtime. There are a number of jobs that need undertaking, so everyone is welcome to come and help in any way they can.

The main concern for the team in the past year has been the construction of the garden's 'eco-hub' — a multi-purpose building designed to be a centre of sustainability for West Devon.

The hub will store educational literature, tools, a computer system and host talks and activities once it is fully up and running. The main construction work on the building has been completed.

Beth Hamer, project co-ordinator for Growing our Future, said: 'We've got lots planned for the upcoming year. We have a lot of educational projects in store, and phase two of the building project on the eco-hub is due for completion. These finishing touches will make the building fully usable.

'We have been so busy bringing the building project to this stage that it has been our primary focus.

'Now we are approaching phase two, our focus is switching fully back to the garden.

'The spring workday is important to help get it up to scratch before the year ahead, and we hope we can drum up as much support as possible.'

Throughout the working day, the team will be cooking soup over an open fire to provide lunch, and volunteers are welcome at any time throughout the day — any time spared to help will be appreciated.

Growing our Future, founded in 2008, aims to involve people of all ages in finding solutions to the environmental challenges society faces, including food security, pollution and climate change.

Working primarily with college students and pupils of local primary schools, the project encourages learning through experience of sowing seeds, growing plants, harvesting and composting among other activities.

The spring workday takes place at the gardens from 10am to 4pm.

For more information on how to get involved call Beth Hamer on 07903 121146.