Spring bulbs were planted and railings given a lick of paint by volunteers who gave up their time to get their hands dirty.

Ten dedicated volunteers from ages five to 85 years-old took to Vectis Gardens in Tooting on Saturday, November 15, to paint the railings around the gardens and plant bulbs which will bloom in the spring.

There is more work to be done to finish the painting as part of the first joint project between Sustainable Merton and the North Mitcham Park Friends and Heritage group.

Wimbledon Times:

Cameron McBride, 15, on the left, and Nicholas Finch, 14. 

Later in the winter, the group will be planting an orchard in the gardens.

The project was thanks to Dig Merton, a new community food and plant growing scheme set up by organisations including Sustainable Merton, Merton Council, Merton Chamber of Commerce and the May Project.

Wimbledon Times:

Sheila Malone and Dick Devonish doing some gardening 

Tom Walsh of Sustainable Merton said: "People were really hard working and really willing.

"Because it is a large area we a lot more work to do but it is a massive improvement."