AN UNLOVED and grey part of Southampton city centre is exploding into colour as local people bring it back to life.

The Rope Walk Community Gardens in St Mary's lies between the neighbourhood advice centre in Derby Road and the Argyle Centre.

Until two years ago it was a drab area of tarmac about 20 yards wide by 100 yards long. Now residents have created an oasis of plants with railway sleepers to create raised beds for flowers and vegetables.

Plants include sunflowers, runner beans plus squash along with herbs such as mint and coriander.

An open day attracted dozens of locals. Founding gardening club member Basant Sharma, of Clovelly Road, said: "This was a bare unattractive piece of tarmac with things strewn all over the place. A few of us got together and decided we have got to do something.

"It has been a struggle attracting more volunteers."

Mark Penton, city council area grounds officer, said it was a pilot site for other neglected areas which could also be rejuvenated.

"The council is keen to support this. It is creating a green space in a very dense area," he added.

Gulzar Sharif, a project worker at the Southampton Environment Centre, has been involved with helping the community.

"The aim of the open day is to raise the garden's profile. A lot of people on the other side of the wall (in Argyle Road and Oxford Avenue) don't know that this place exists.

"We want to create a community feeling, a place where people can grow their own vegetables and help out others. This helps to promote public health with organic healthy food and people's exercise."

The gardening club meets every Tuesday 2-4pm. About half of the site is still undeveloped and ideas on future use are needed. Suggestions have included more allotments and a children's play area.

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