Potentially green fingered residents have been urged to get an allotment.

On August 18 Buckhurst Hill Allotments held its first ever open at the Lower Queens Roan Allotment site, one of the five it manages.

As well as acting as a advertisement for the allotment life, plot holders shared their knowledge and experience with visitors.

Parish councillors Ken Williamson, Jane Forker-Clark and Sam Clark joined in the fun, which was organised as part of National Allotments Week.

This year's theme was 'Living and Growing’.

Tim Ward, chairman of Buckhurst Hill Allotments, said: "The theme highlights the importance of growing your own food and to encourage everyone to incorporate fruit and vegetable gardening in some way in to their lives; however small.

"Herbs on a balcony, an apple tree on a patio, strawberries in hanging baskets or tomatoes in a big pot by the back

door - ripe and ready to pop in a salad.

"The day was about sharing our knowledge and encouraging people to take up gardening."

Mr Ward practices what he preaches, growing everything from lettuces and carrots to melons and lingonberries.

To find out more about allotments, go to www.buckhursthillallotments.co.uk