ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners in Cheltenham want to help people bite back against the credit crunch literally - by growing their own food.

Vision 21, based in St George's Place, is offering an advice and help service to get residents digging, hoeing and munching the fruits of their labours.

Mike Bush, one of the volunteers helping the project said: "Many people want to grow their own food but might not have done it before and don't know where to start.

"There's great tradition of people growing their own in gardens and allotments in Britain, so it's nothing new, but we want to get to people who are new to it."

Mike and other volunteers will work with people who want to grow fruit and veg in their back garden, or even a yard or balcony.

Mike said: "We will have an outreach service for people who have a small piece of land or even less.

"We can show people how they can even grow beans in a window box or tomatoes in containers on a balcony in a flat.

"If someone has an overgrown garden and they want to use it for food but don't know where to begin, we will come out and help them.

"The family will have to have the commitment to carry it on, but we want to help people get started."

And he says the benefits of growing your own are never more apparent than in times of economic hardship.

Mike said: "If you don't count the cost of your time and labour it's not at all expensive to grow your own vegetables, seeds are cheap and you can harvest them for next year and swap them with friends and neighbours."

Vision 21 is looking to work with five families initially and also wants to hear from anyone who can donate tools and equipment to the project.

Trustee of the group, Cathy Green, said: "Some people want to reduce food miles, others want to save money. Whatever their motivation is, we want to be able to help."

For more information, contact Vision 21 on 01242 224321 or email office@vision21.org.uk