NEGLECTED allotments in Lockwood have been transformed into a horticultural haven.

The allotments at Victoria Road had become seriously overgrown with weeds and brambles and had fallen victim to fly-tipping and vandalism.

But a team of community volunteers have changed them into the perfect place to grow flowers and veg.

The project was started in 2002 by the Asian Health Community Network - an organisation consisting of local gardeners - supported by the Arid Lands and Sustainable Communities Trust.

The group wanted to find a way of engaging the whole community in healthy activity and approached the Huddersfield Pakistani Community Alliance (HPCA).

The HPCA found local volunteer Javid Hussain to co-ordinate the project and the groups decided to transform the allotments.

Offenders undertaking community duties with the Probation Service cleared overgrown weeds, brambles and the rubbish from the site.

Local children helped bag up the rubbish, which took a total of four months to clear.

Now the allotments are fit for use, the Asian Health Community Network plans to break them up into very small patches - around a fifth of the size of a Kirklees Council allotment.

The aim is to encourage beginners to learn how to garden and grow their own produce.

The budding gardeners will have one supervised session a week to help them get started, plus advice from Arid Lands workers.

Once they are confident, they can increase the size of their allotment.

Project co-ordinator Javid Hussain said: "There are a lot of health benefits and if children are involved we have noticed from other projects that they are keener to eat vegetables if they have taken part in growing them."

Mount Pleasant Infant and Junior School is considering linking existing gardening projects to the allotments.

Sure Start - which helps families improve health and lifestyles - is also encouraging parents and children to use them.

The Madani Mosque is taking children to the allotments as part of its teachings on caring for the environment and living a healthy life.

The Pakistani Youth Forum is also planning to start gardening sessions for teenagers.

In future, it is hoped links could be formed with local colleges to provide formal certification for the gardeners' achievements.

* If you would like more information about the allotments, contact Chris or Javid on 01484 309818 or 07930 388803.