GARDENING in Didcot has gone "guerilla style" as residents have taken derelict green spaces into their own hands and turned them into mini-Edens.

In a bid to make the most of unused space and to encourage residents to be more resourceful, a team from Sustainable Didcot took to the streets on Sunday to plant herbs for others to use.

After getting permission from South Oxfordshire District Council, the volunteers planted rosemary, thyme, chives and mint in unused planters by the Cornerstone arts centre.

Leading the "Incredible Edible Didcot" campaign was co-chairman of Sustainable Didcot, Adam Reid.

He said: "It is almost like guerilla style gardening.

"We are hoping we can start something big in Didcot where we make the most of unused green spaces and fill them with herbs and crops, which people are then able to pick off and use.

"It is all part of a wider campaign of getting people to think more resourcefully and cook using good, natural ingredients.

"By planting crops in otherwise unused patches in the town, we are hoping when these are ripe for harvest people will come along and just pick them."

Go Green Taxis of Didcot donated the compost and wood chips for the event and Sainsbury's Didcot provided the herbs to be planted.

Incredible Edible is a national campaign which originated in Yorkshire after a local community took it upon themselves to start planting crops and vegetables that could be communally used.

Mr Reid added: "This is really exciting, we are trying to make people a little more self sufficient.

"This is just the beginning and hopefully by starting this on Sunday, others will come forward with ideas for where we can next plant and to volunteer their time to help us.

"Obviously there is the Didcot Food Festival coming up in November and we think that would be a great opportunity for us to be able to tell people more about what we do, how to be more sustainable and what you can make with a few basic ingredients."

Sustainable Didcot earlier this year unveiled a polytunnel at the New Road allotments, which can be used by anyone who books a slot.

Mr Reid said it now "looks like a jungle" as residents have grabbed the opportunity to grow more exotic vegetables.

He added: "As well as it being a great way to teach people about healthy eating and being more resourceful, there is a wonderful community spirit."

Mr Reid said the organisation was on the hunt for more spaces in the town that could be turned into edible hotspots.

For any suggestions contact: facebook.com/SustainableDidcot