JUST A FEW months ago the land at the rear of a block of retirement flats in Southampton was piled five feet high with rubbish.

But with the help of the Southampton environment Centre and the Community Probation Team, the land is well on its way to being transformed into an oasis for the residents to relax in.

To make their dream garden complete, the residents of Exford Avenue in Harefield are hoping to get enough funding to buy a summerhouse and decking.

Resident Margret Rosen, who is in her 70s, originally contacted the Environment Centre to ask for their help in clearing away the rubbish.

"The fenced garden space that the residents share drops down to a paved area which is inaccessible to them because of the gradient," said Evelyn Rose, outreach project coordinator for the Southampton Environment Centre.

"This area had become derelict and was used as the neighbourhood dump.

"The residents wanted to use the area as a community space and get the rubbish removed.

"The rubbish was heaped over five feet high and weighed over a ton.

"We got the Community Probation team to help us remove the rubbish and the city council took it away.''

The residents have also been awarded a small grant from Hampshire Garden Trust for boundary planting and scented container planting.

The next stage of their project is to acquire funding to build a summerhouse on a platform deck.

Evelyn is backing the Daily Echo's Neighbourhood Wash campaign, which aims to encourage people to take pride in their community.

"It doesn't take much to make an area look a lot better," says Evelyn.

"I think the Neighbourhood Wash campaign is great as hopefully people will start to think about how they can make the area around them look much better."

The residents are looking for corporate sponsorship to get the summerhouse.

If you think you can help contact Evelyn Rose at the Environment Centre on 023 8033 6212

Do you need our help to clean up?

Do you need help to clean up a local eyesore? Or are you doing something to improve your local environment and make it better for the community.

The Neighbourhood Wash campaign, being backed by the Daily Echo and Meridian TV looks at ways in which people can help to clean up their community - tackling graffiti, fly-tipping, litter and even crime.

Ring or write with details to Vicki Green-Steel, Southern Daily Echo, Newspaper House, Test Lane, Redbridge, Southampton SO16 9JX.

Tel: 023 8042 4711 or e-mail Vicki using the link above.