A community garden project is taking root in Bournemouth thanks to a generous donation from a Dorset company.

Parley-based Eco Sustainable Solutions has donated 32 tonnes of its Eco Super Soil to Townsend Community Growers.

The donation has allowed volunteers to create 18 raised beds on land at the back of Birch Drive which will be used to grow flowers and vegetables.

Bournemouth & Poole Sustainable Food City Partnership has worked with Townsend residents to get the garden project off the ground.

More than 50 households are involved together with Bournemouth Borough Council, Townsend Community Association, IdVerde and a team of volunteers from Ageas.

Funding has come from the Postcode Lottery which provided a £12,300 grant.

Sarah Watson, Sustainable Food City Manager, said: “This is a fantastic project which has really caught the imagination of the local community. Thanks to the hard work of everyone involved we now have a mix of individual and communal plots which residents can use to grow vegetables and flowers. We hope to have a tutor in place soon who will be available once a week for a year to offer help and guidance on growing the plants.

“I can’t thank Eco Sustainable Solutions enough for their generosity in providing the soil free of charge. This has allowed us to use our precious funds on tools, seeds and other items needed for the project.”

Peter Hardy, Eco’s Commercial Director, said his company was delighted to help out.

He added: “It’s good to be able to put something back into the community and if we can help a worthy cause, as on this occasion, then we’re only too delighted.”