A GARDENING club in Itchen has received a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery.

The Dahlia Gardening Club has been awarded the money as part of the lotteries Community Fund.

It will be used to help residents in the local community create their own social spaces and gardens to get them outside and active.

The club started in Drummond Court in Itchen when a resident realised there was no where for people to socialise.

Shirley Walters, now chair of the gardening club, got in touch with the council to ask if some unused land in the area could be turned into a community garden.

The council approved of the project and a group of neighbours got together to change the land into an area where they could all socialise.

Shirley, Tina Dier, Victoria Howe and Sharron Whale had to learn new skills as they worked together to create the communal area.

Throughout lockdown, residents aged in their 60s, 70s and 80s have been working tirelessly to transform the garden.

Work included digging and making the land level, as well as painting, laying astro turf and fixing gates.

Shirley said: "They worked so hard, especially during lockdown.

"We did a lot of digging and we were out there everyday for the three months."

Now that their garden is almost complete, the club hope to do the same for other residential areas and are looking for more people to get involved.

Councillor for Peartree, Eamonn Keogh, helped the group apply for the funding and has been supporting the project as it has grown.

He said: "I think it's brilliant, just seeing them do the work, it has been quite a transformation.

"There is a limit to what the council can do so when residents take these tasks on, it helps to preserve and enhance these garden spaces.

"Getting out in the fresh air especially when some have had to isolate has been great.

"They've exceeded their own and certainly my expectations with the work they have done."