ALAN Titchmarsh may not have been present, but the Okehampton Community Garden had a 'Ground Force' style operation last week, with the help of 75 army officer cadets.

Three cohorts of 25 army cadets descended on the garden between June 14 and June 20 to help with a wide variety of tasks.

Among the myriad of tasks undertaken, the cadets constructed bays for the garden's community compost area, a storage shed, laid out polytunnel hoops and arranged a children's planting area using a perimeter of tyres filled with stones for drainage, soil and compost.

On Tuesday morning the garden was visited by Devon's deputy Lord Lieutenant Sir Peter Squire and town mayor Cllr Rev Mike Davies, to see the work of the cadets and hear about the community garden project.

The garden has had a massive boost of activity in the last few weeks, as the hard work done by the cadets comes shortly after the Prince's Trust Team programme sent a team of youngsters to the garden to build a shed, chicken coops, create raised beds and a sensory herb garden.

The community garden on Fatherford Road will provide a new green space for the community to grow their own fruit and vegetables, compost food waste, and socialise.

All residents of the town from varying walks of life, including the elderly, the disabled, teenagers and families, are welcome to take part in the project.

n If you are interested in becoming a gardener or friend of the project, can donate any relevant gardening items, e-mail steering group member Fran Rickwood on [email protected]">[email protected]