GREEN-fingered souls now have a place to call their own after Leasowe welcomed its very first community allotment.

It has taken close to five years to bring Leasowe Community Allotments CIC to fruition after it was first mooted by former Leasowe and Moreton East councillor Ian Lewis.

But after a number of delays, planning permission was finally passed last August and work finally began on transforming an area of land next to Twickenham Drive’s boxing club into a colourful and welcoming plot.

Grants from Your Wirral of £2,500 and the Co-Op of £2,000 allowed the group to build fences, 29 plots and two communal areas and on Saturday, all of the blood, sweat and tears that went into creating the project paid off.

It was brainchild Ian Lewis who had the honour of officially opening the allotments in front of plot holders, councillors and volunteers.

He said: “I was delighted to cut the ribbon and open Leasowe’s first community allotments.

“It took me almost five years as councillor to persuade the town hall of the need for allotments and to find the local volunteers who are now running the site.

“Everyone has worked really hard and they are to be congratulated for this wonderful new addition to our community.”

As well as giving budding growers the chance to hone their craft, secretary and fundraiser Anne-Marie Hewlett said the allotments will offer much more.

“Leasowe Community Allotments CIC is for everyone in Leasowe and Moreton and even further afield.

“We’ll welcome community groups and members of the public who are interested in learning how to grow their own fruit and vegetables or flowers for the wildlife.

“If they want to learn how to look after bees, we have a bee team on site who will be more than willing to teach you a few things as well as give you a taste of the most amazing honey in Moreton and Leasowe.”

Anne-Marie added: “I hope the allotments will bring a further sense of community to the area as local green spaces are dwindling and families are finding it harder to pay for their weekly shop.

“Growing your own in an allotment or in your garden will benefit you in the end and you’ll end up with some amazing local grown food as well as green fingers

“It took us months, many, many meetings and paperwork to finally get the lease signed on September 4.

“I'm really proud of the group and the site and I hope the residents of Leasowe and Moreton will enjoy it for all the years to come.”