RESIDENTS and finance workers dug in to help develop Braithwaite’s community allotment.

About 40 people took part in the first of several monthly Challenge Days at the allotments off North Dean Road.

They were helping efforts to transform the rundown site into a thriving attraction offering activities for all ages.

The volunteers were this week praised by Alex Brown, one of the leading lights of the scheme.

He said: “They started by building planters then dug out some terraces on the slope because the site is quite uneven.”

The allotment is being set up with a £9,900 grant from the Big Lottery Awards For All fund.

A successful launch day in July attracted dozens of local people for activities like foraging, fire pit cooking, bird box building and planting.

Mr Brown said the Challenge Day team included several workers from a Harrogate finance firm.

He said that among residents who attended the event were members of Braithwaite Senior Voice whose members live in the Foster Gardens flats.

He said: “We’re hoping Foster Gardens will become one of our spin-offs – people setting up little gardening projects in their communities or putting planters in their gardens.”

The next Community Challenge will be on October 8. Anyone interested in taking part should call Pip on 07587 210101.