A SIGNIFICANT donation has helped to open a Bournemouth community garden project.

Townsend Community Growers have created 20 raised beds near Birch Drive, thanks largely to a donation of more than 70 tonnes of soil from Eco Sustainable Solutions in Parley.

The project will be used to grow flowers and vegetables, with the hope of getting 35 households involved in the first year. There will also be growing sessions to teach people new skills.

Dave Sheppard from Townsend Community Association, who were involved in the project along with Bournemouth Borough Council, landscaping company IdVerde and volunteers from Ageas, said: “Without Eco this project would never have happened.

“Our requests for more soil kept coming yet Eco still, generously, agreed to help.”

Eco’s commercial director Peter Hardy officially opened the garden. He said: “This has been a great community project which has really brought people together.

“We’re only too delighted to support such a worthwhile venture.”

The project was funded by a £12,300 grant from the Postcode Lottery, with support from Bournemouth & Poole Sustainable Food City Partnership.