Green-fingered residents of Whiteley Village have been treated to an accessible allotment.

The new allotment, opened on Thursday, May 9,by Councillor Janet Turner, mayor of Elmbridge until earlier this week, has paved pathways in between raised bedding spaces.

The design will allow those with a love of growing flowers and vegetables to continue with their hobby, even if they are unable to bend, dig and lift at ground level.

The new area has 46sq m of raised beds for gardeners with less mobility and is at a suitable height for wheelchair or mobility scooter users to get around.

The project has been funded by Cargill, a supporter of the village for many years.

Aileen Woollhead, chairwoman of the trustees at Whiteley Village, said: “It has long been a vision in Whiteley Village to have an allotment area that is fully accessible to all of our residents, growing their own fruit and vegetables.

“We are very grateful to our great friends at Cargill in Cobham for their tremendous support to Whiteley Village.

“We are also delighted to acknowledge the kind help we have received from Squires Garden Centre, who have worked with us and with their suppliers to turn this dream into a reality.”