A Winchester mother's decision to transform a patch of derelict land has been highlighted in a national campaign to find the worst wasted spaces in Britain.

Sue Phillips, of Nursery Gardens, embarked on her mission to clean up a small run-down space on the edge of her estate after her children stumbled across old fireworks and broken glass.

Residents banded together to clear the overgrown site at Home Nursery Green, behind Hilliers nursery, in Fulflood, and are now well on the way to making it a safe place to meet and play.

Cabe, the government's commission on architecture and the built environment, launched a campaign to find the most desolate areas in the country this week.

Radio 4's You and Yours and the Today programmes are partners in The Wasted Space? campaign and are sending presenters back to their birthplace to investigate.

Winchester-based Radio 4 journalist Peter White, who also works for Radio Solent, will focus on the Home Nursery Green site in a broadcast tomorrow.

"I sent out 85 questionnaires to local houses around the site," said Sue. "Within half an hour of getting home I had received my first reply. There was a flood of responses and people were so keen to do something about it."

The city council has backed the subsequent clean-ups and a new residents' committee has drawn up a preliminary action plan for the long-term future of the site, which was originally owned and planted by Edwin Hillier, father of Sir Harold Hillier, in the 1890s.

"We have already made a huge difference but we want to create a wildlife area, a place for children to play and somewhere for people to meet," added Sue.

A sculptor has joined the team and the committee is now looking to apply for Arts Council funding towards the project.

Approval for the plans will be sought at an open meeting at West Downs Centre, Romsey Road, on October 22 from 7.30pm.