A TEAM of volunteer gardeners are taking a tiny patch of Turton to the city.

Over the past six years a group of enthusiastic horticulturalists have devoted their spare time to restoring the kitchen garden at historic Turton Tower.

And this week they have put items, such as pallets, rusty wheelbarrows and old fence panels unearthed during the renovation to good use with a show garden at the popular Dig the City event in Manchester.

The team of gardeners, led by designer and plant expert Sue Jeffries, has spent the past few months carefully nurturing all kinds of fruit and vegetables ready for their 6ft wide “Edible Recycled Garden”.

It was erected in Victoria Street next to the cathedral on Thursday, with the help of local youngsters, ready to be seen by the public today. It will stay on show until August 10.

The team even had a bit of extra help putting the finishing touches to their entry this week from local schoolchildren.

“It has been a bit of pressure putting it all together in time,” said Ms Jeffries, who will also be running free planting and caring for seeds workshops on August 8, 9 and 10.

The Turton display will be one of 16 show gardens entered in the urban gardening festival this year which will be judged by television expert Rachel de Thame and Manchester National Trust Gardener in Residence Sean Harkin.

“It would be great if we won but we are just happy taking part,” said Ms Jeffries.

She added that the main reason for entering is to bring the Turton Tower garden to the attention of the public.

She said: “People don’t realise we are here. It gives the tower a bit of publicity and encourages people to get involved.”

For more information about the Turton Tower kitchen garden project visit www.turton tower.co.uk.