THE fourth annual Big Dig event encouraging people to grow more fruit and vegetables is taking place across Bournemouth and Poole until Sunday, March 29.

Community gardens across the two towns are holding special events to get residents to pull on their wellies and grow their own food.

The campaign, called The Big Dig Day is run by the Big Dig network at Sustain, the alliance for better food and farming, which is looked after locally by Bournemouth and Poole's Sustainable Food City Partnership.

Eight gardens from both towns are taking part, with different activities arranged from digging and planting to oven building and chicken feeding.

Sarah Watson from the Sustainable Food City Partnership said "We’re so excited that we have eight community gardens involved in this spring’s Big Dig across both Bournemouth and Poole so no one is too far away from their local garden to get involved.

"It’s such a brilliant way to get to know new people, access fresh fruit and vegetables and gardening together just makes you feel really good."

Sarah says that many of the gardens rely on volunteers to run them, so extra people are always welcome to come along and lend a hand with the groups, which may be aimed at children or projects in parks.

Rebecca Carron from the Smile Community Garden at Tatnam Allotments in Poole said: "This will be our third Big Dig in the three years since we set up our garden and it’s been great to welcome more and more people to see what we do and get involved.

"There’s always loads to do so we can always find jobs for everyone from new growers to experienced veg lovers."

New Leaf Allotment in Throop will be hosting a Big Dig event from Thursday, March 26 from 11am to 2pm and Smile Community Allotment at Tatnam Farm Allotments on Saturday, MArch 28 from 10.30am to 2.30pm.

In addition, Slades Farm Community Garden in Ensbury Park will hold an event on Sunday, March 29, from 2pm to 4pm.

For more information, go to Bigdig.org.uk