FAMILIES are being invited to get stuck in at Radcliffe’s very own ‘Big Dig’.

Incredible Edible organisers hope the event, to be held on Saturday (March 21) between 11am and 2pm, will encourage residents to form a new Radcliffe branch of the initiative.

There are already branches in Prestwich and Ramsbottom and Tottington.

Incredible Edible groups grow vegetables, fruit and herbs grown in public ‘propaganda gardens’ which members of the public can help themselves to.

Thanks to Transport for Greater Manchester, one Incredible Edible garden was launched in Radcliffe last autumn, at the Metrolink station in Spring Lane.

During the big dig at the Metrolink tram stop site, families can help prepare fruit and vegetable beds, plant fruit trees and bushes and develop a wildflower area.

There will also be craft stalls, the opportunity to plant seeds in pots, refreshments and information to give out.

Members also hope if people get behind the idea of a separate Radcliffe group, new growing beds could be installed near Radcliffe Library, at Wellspring House in Radcliffe New Road, and at the Radcliffe Tower heritage site in Close Park.

George Heron, from the Prestwich and district Incredible Edible group, said: “We are grateful to Metrolink for their support – the available plot near Radcliffe station will be our biggest collaboration with the tram system so far.”

Mr Heron said the “spectacular success” of the Chapelfield Grow You Own project was one reason why volunteers thought a Radcliffe Incredible Edible group could be successful.

He added: “The current Prestwich and district volunteers will be able to keep the Metrolink site going, but without new volunteers we will not be able to expand to any further sites in Radcliffe.”

The event is part of a national Big Day, with Radcliffe Metrolink one of 200 sites celebrating community gardening across the UK.

For more information: call George Heron on 0161 798 8762 or e-mail george@heronbg.info