Green fingered enthusiasts in Edinburgh are able to take action on the shortage of allotments in the city by using a new scheme that matches up people with gardens who can’t cope with gardeners. The scheme, thought to be a first for Scotland, is ideal for those elderly residents who would otherwise have to pay for a gardener or even have to move because they can’t manage the extra work involved.

There are over 1400 names on the list for allotments in Edinburgh with only 90 given land every year.

The non-profit organisation, based on Queen Street, helps hundreds of elderly and disabled people every year across the city with repairs to their properties. Staff came up with the idea for Edinburgh Garden Share last year, and have just secured funding for it to be run as a pilot project in the EH12 area of the city.

For more on Edinburgh Garden Share visit www.careandrepairedinburgh.org.uk or contact 0131 220 7630.