A TEAM of green fingered volunteers have helped transform a run down piece of land into a picturesque garden.

The Salisbury Garden Volunteers were established last summer after a man walking through the Wyndham estate felt compelled to change its appearance.

Mark Brandon contacted the council stressing the need to restore what is known locally as the "Secret Garden".

The land now forms part of Wiltshire Council's Bourne Hill Campus, and they agreed that a team of volunteers could be raised and take over the garden, provided Mr Brandon took out insurance, as well as providing a management plan and risk-assessment.

Offers to help the scheme soon came flooding in, and there are currently 16 active volunteers, known as the "Green Team".

But according to Mr Brandon the restoration soon revealed some underlying problems.

"We started in quite a modest way but soon found that the design had been done for instant effect.

"The fruit trees were planted too close to be able to train them properly and the west wall was planted with clematis, honeysuckle, and roses only inches apart, and with them then over-planted with climbing ivy you couldn't see them."

There was then the discovery of builders rubble under the soil, leaving it completely impoverished.

Fortunately, for the Green Team, support from the community was strong, and they listened to their ideas and wishes.

As a result, a wild-life garden has started to the east of main section.

Mr Brandon and the volunteers have actively fund-raised for the venture, and have recently been offered a mower, greenhouse and a shed.

Support has also been forthcoming from The Area Board who forwarded a grant of £1,500, and Waitrose, who elected SGV as one of their Community Matters for January.

One resident donates £5 a month, and Mr Brandon said this was a good way of being involved in the scheme, if unable to do so in person.

"It is extremely useful and something we would actively encourage from those who wish to help but can't do so physically."

If you are interested in joining Salisbury Garden Volunteers or would like to help via other methods, contact Mark Brandon on 01722 328259 or email mark@sgv-greenteam.com