By John Lucas

Dig out your shovels because volunteers are needed in spades to help expand the demonstration vegetable garden in Preston Park.

The popular garden, tucked away behind the Rotunda Café in the south-eastern corner of the park, is being upgraded to include a perennial and forest gardening area, as well as new seating and pathways.

Tom Williams, from the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership, said: “The garden is about demonstrating to people what can be grown, even if you have a limited amount of space.

"The expansion will take the original ethos of the garden and show people what can be grown outside of the traditional growing season.”

As well as planting herbs and nut trees, which people often find easier to grow than vegetables, the volunteer-maintained garden will be made more accessible for those with disabilities.

It is also hoped that extra seating will make it a nicer place to visit and relax.

The decision to expand the garden was made after a consultation with residents and park users.

Mr Williams said: “Everyone in the city is welcome to come.

"There will be a lot of digging but it will be a really a fun day with plenty of opportunities to get involved.”

He added that equipment will be provided and people could bring food such as soup to share around.

There will be two special workdays on Saturday, February 15 from 10-3pm and Thursday, February 20 from 10-3pm.

The demonstration garden was set up in 2009 as part of the Harvest project to show people what could be grown in small spaces and to encourage them to grow at home.