Yarm gardener Gary Quirk began cultivating the town's new disabled people's allotment this week.

He is optimistic about the plot's fertility because succulent vegetables have been grown in neighbouring allotments.

The plot was specially designed with four raised beds and wide paths for wheelchair users. It was built by Yarm Town Council with donations from an Eaglescliffe firm and Cleveland Wildlife Trust.

Mr Quirk, of Rigby House, hopes other disabled people will join in. "I'll be growing cabbages, potatoes, carrots, parsnips, radishes, peppers - you name it," he said. "Yarm council approached me at the start of the project and I suggested a few ideas about accessibility. The council's done a great job."

Coun Gwen Porter, who lives next door, championed the idea of a disabled garden when she was council chairman and responsible for allotments. "I thought disabled people would love a garden designed especially for their use and the scheme became the council's millennium project.

"It was designed by Coun David Henderson, who is an architect, and has four beds, a water tap and a hut, which is being refurbished. It's a great little allotment.

"The work was quite expensive. Coun Jane Dale raised funds for it. We also had a donation from the Elementis factory at Eaglescliffe, and help from Cleveland Wildlife Trust." There are many more tenants now than ever before, which is a good sign."