A NEW community garden in Greenock has secured lottery funding to help with its Covid recovery work.

Church-run group Lyle Gateway is creating a new outdoor space and they now have £10,000 to fund the recruitment of a garden officer.

Gateway chairman Jim Crawford said: “As we approach summer and hopefully see a relaxation on the restrictions imposed, we are excited about re-opening and welcoming back all our friends within the community and making new ones.

"We are very conscious that with the lockdown lasting so long the mental wellbeing of people could be affected.

"This problem is not restricted to the older community but also our children and younger generations.

"The community garden project, which we are delighted the National Lottery have supported very substantially, will help to alleviate the problem by allowing people to tend a small plot and meet other people.

"It is our intention to encourage school children to participate along with various youth organisations, hopefully creating a much greener society.”

The group, based at the Lyle Kirk on Union Street, was awarded Community Fund cash along with River Clyde Homes and Man On Inverclyde.