A PROJECT to grow herbs and vegetables that can be taken home by members of the public has taken root in a North-East town.

Crops of fresh vegetables, herbs and fruit have sprung up around Darlington town centre thanks to a number of green-fingered volunteers.

The Incredible Edibles project was started by Darlington Rotary Club last year, with 11 sites in the town centre planted by volunteer gardeners.

However the project, known as High Grow Darlo, has captured the imagination of thrifty residents and now offers free fruit and vegetables at almost 70 sites around the town, including South Park, the town hall, and a number of care homes and children’s centres.

To ensure the plants thrive when rainwater is in short supply, the team has acquired a ‘water wheels’ bike, which can carry up to 70 litres of water to water the produce.

Rotary Club member Mike Hall, who leads the planting team, said volunteers could attach the trailer to their bike and cycle around town watering the plants.

He said: “It is very much a community thing and we are trying to involve community groups in it.

“The main thing is to promote healthy eating and thrifty living and many local people benefitted from the vegetables grown in the pilot scheme.”

The project is looking for volunteers to help maintain the planters.

For more information search High Grow Darlo on Facebook, or email highgrowdarlo1@gmail.com