A PROJECT which matches gardeners with idle gardens for food production has made its first pairings.

The Grow Hexham project matches uncultivated gardens with people who want to garden but don't have space, with food shared between the owner and the gardener with any surplus going to the Community Grocery.

Grow Hexham is a partnership project between Hexham Town Council, Hexham Community Partnership, Number 28 and the Community Grocery.

It received £5,728 from the North of Tyne Mayor’s Zero Carbon, Zero Poverty fund after project organisers reached their target of receiving pledges of more than £8,600.

Their first match was between Vanessa Holden and Dee Raker.

Amy Hemmings, Grow Hexham co-ordinator, said: "The garden owner, Dee, was keen for someone to take on some space in her really lovely garden as she felt it was being underused.

"She doesn't have time to grow veg at the moment, although has done a little bit in the past and hopes that she will be reinspired by seeing someone else growing in her garden.

"Vanessa and her two young kids had planted loads of seeds earlier this spring but quickly realised they had far too much to fit in their small back yard.

"They asked Grow Hexham to match them up with a garden where they could plant out some of their seedlings and watch them grow.

"Dee was delighted to meet Vanessa and her kids and is really enjoying seeing all the veggies come along so nicely."

Several more matches have been set up since then.

A tool share and repair shed has also been set up at Quatre Bras allotments, and is open to anyone in Hexham who wants to access garden tools.

If you are interested in getting involved in the project, contact Amy by emailing growhexham@hexhamtowncouncil.gov.uk or by calling 01434 609575.