WORK to breathe new life into a set of disused greenhouses in a park is making progress.

Volunteers with the Myplace project are clearing the area in front of them to create a forest garden and food growing area.

The aim is to bring the five greenhouses, abandoned 10 years ago, back into use to produce seasonal food for the volunteers to take home and cook while boosting their mental and physical health.

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust' is working with Blackburn and Darwen Council and Sport England to renovate the greenhouses at Witton Country Park, formerly used by the council to grow bedding plants.

Andy Mather, the trust's Myplace project officer, said: “The greenhouses are an amazing untapped resource and have the potential to become a great community space.

" We took them on in April and since then the project has gone from strength to strength.

“People have been isolated. These sessions are a gentle first step towards a more active life for many.”

The group, which run sessions five days a week, also plan to create a nature library with sofas, use the greenhouse glass for art and run activities such as table tennis and workshops on traditional crafts.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s public health director Professor Dominic Harrison added: “It’s great to see a project encouraging people to get active outdoors. Being physically active and close to nature has positive effects on both our physical and mental health.”

Cllr Jackie Floyd, chair of the Blackburn with Darwen Food Resilience Alliance, said “Our aim is to encourage sustainable living by reducing food waste, support more local people to grow their own food and to gain skills for employment."