Gardeners are reaping what they have sown after bringing back to life a vandalised bit of scrubland.

About a dozen members of Wantage Day Centre, in Garston Lane, have transformed a dilapidated patch of land at the site into an attractive space brimming with herbs, flowers and vegetables.

The gardeners used trowels and forks specially adapted for use by elderly people to plant fennel, parsley, onions chives and sweet peas.

Jennifer Cawood, who led the project, said the plot was ideal because the soil beds are at waist height – meaning there is no need to bend over.

She said: “I think the lovely thing about this has been watching the older people rediscover horticulture.

“Often, as you get a bit older, you don’t fancy going out. But with just a little bit of encouragement people take part and the smiles soon return to their faces.

“We’ve held four sessions over a month and the members have changed what had been an often vandalised patch of land by sweeping it up and bedding plants.

“It’s nice when you hear them talk about the feel of the soil between their fingers and reminiscing.”