Work has started to transform two disused garage sites in Bedford into community gardens where local residents can grow their own food and plants and enjoy the outdoor life.

The £80,000 Golden Gardens project in Milburn Road and Elliott Crescent, Goldington, has been made possible after it was voted the winner of The People’s Millions lottery competition in November last year.

Since then local affordable housing provider bpha, which is behind the scheme, has been working with the local community to finalise designs. Planning permission was granted in March and this month diggers moved onto the sites to begin the transformations.

Around 25 local residents have been involved in the process so far - taking part in visits to other community garden projects and holding road show events to get feedback on the final designs.

A grand planting day is planned for July with the gardens due to open this September.

Liz Robertson, assistant community development manager at bpha, said: “This project has really captured the imagination of the whole community.

“It is great to see all the hard work behind the scenes paying off as the diggers move onto the sites to turn the plans into a reality.

“There are still plenty of opportunities for people to get involved in a range of activities. And with the planting day next month, we are hoping as many residents as possible will turn out to help create gardens that the whole community can be proud of.”

The Golden Gardens project will include a green training area for local people to grow their own food and plants and an open access area for all to enjoy.

Goldington resident Sylvia Peacock said: “It has been great fun so far and I hope other local people will get stuck in with the project.

“At the end of the day, we will be able to look back at the gardens and know that we made it happen. It is something that people will get enjoyment from for many years.”

Pupils at Goldington Middle School, Woodside Middle School and Newnham Middle School have worked alongside local residents and bpha staff to finalise the designs for the project.

A photographic diary is being kept of the transformation which will be used as part of an internet blog.

Local residents who want to find out more about getting involved in the project can contact Liz Robertson at bpha on 01234 221386 or by emailing lizr@bpha.org.uk