PEOPLE with drug and alcohol problems are working at an urban farm as part of a pioneering scheme to help their recovery.

The innovative scheme has seen recovering drug addicts and alcoholics helping to renovate the March Street Community Garden in Stoneyholme, Burnley.

As well as planting fruit and vegetables, they have been building paths and walls, as well as making seasonal planting preparations.

Those taking part in the project were referred by Inspire, which is part of the Crime Reduction Initiatives (CRI) charity.

It is hoped the experience will help the participants to interact with people in the community and encourage them to want to work.

One of the service-users taking part, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “I’m doing well in my recovery.

“I don’t have to be seen except for every two weeks, and it’s easier to fit my appointments in with my life. I want to get a part time job and now it’ll be easier.”

Nicola Guthrie, of Inspire, said: “Inspire believes that enabling people with substance misuse issues to build a lifestyle that promotes health, wellbeing and social and personal capital is dependant on strong community links and a sense of belonging.

“Service-users describe the process of recovery as a journey with the ultimate goal of positive reintegration into community life.

“This project is a major step on the way to achieving that aim.”

A registered charity, Pennine Lancashire Community Farm runs a number of successful projects at the March Street Community Garden site.

These include the Chilli Club which supports more than 60 people to grow their own fruit and vegetables on mini plots.

Under the Grow and Learn scheme children as young as three are encouraged to grow food and take part in outdoor activities.

Manager James Horsford said: “Working with the various participants and CRI has proved to be an extremely effective partnership benefiting all involved.”