A WREXHAM group has been given a financial boost thanks to a new garden scheme.

Over the past year, green spaces have been more important than ever, allowing residents to reconnect, focus and relax.

Now, Incredible Edible Wrecsam has given nature and the local community a boost thanks to a new garden scheme from environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy.

‘Local Places for Nature’ development packages include free training, advice, practical help and support to install new green spaces, as well as tools, materials and equipment to care for them long-term.

Incredible Edible Wrecsam have created a large-scale food growing area on Price's Lane allotment in Rhosddu, Wrexham with the Keep Wales Tidy 'Local Places For Nature' package.

Lesley Wills, an IEW member, said that the package has provided the group with the facilities to grow more varied produce in a sustainable way, adding: "We can produce new plants from seeds and cuttings grown in the greenhouse which can then not only be planted at our various public sites but also be given out to the public so that they can grow fruit, veg and herbs in their own gardens or outdoor spaces."

Rona Harper, another IEW member, said: "We'd like to thank Keep Wales Tidy for this grant and also Steve Gittins, and Rhosddu Community Council, for putting our group forward for it. We hope that after lockdown more people will join us, either at the allotment or at our regular meet-ups at our public sites, to help Wrexham become more self-sufficient and food secure."

The group is an informal network of self-organising individuals and groups who are creating spaces in Wrexham where 'food is grown for anyone to access freely'.

Deputy Chief Executive for Keep Wales Tidy, Louise Tambini said: “We’re delighted that groups like Incredible Edible Wrecsam, have had the opportunity to make a positive difference through Local Places for Nature. We look forward to seeing how their new food growing area benefits the local community as well as the nature on their doorstep.”

The initiative is part of a wider £5m Welsh Government ‘Local Places for Nature’ fund committed to acquiring, restoring and enhancing nature ‘on your doorstep’.

Packages are still available to community groups and organisations. To apply for Local Places for Nature, visit www.keepwalestidy.cymru/nature