Increasing numbers sign up for fighting with flowers

An unlikely band of guerilla gardeners are turning to flower power as they strive to improve neglected areas of towns and cities across the country.

The increasingly popular gardening movement involves transforming barren urban spaces into floral street art.

Richard Reynolds, a leading activist, has produced a book called On Guerilla Gardening that provides a modus operandi for "the illicit cultivation of someone elses land".

Speaking to Reuters in London Mr Reynolds said: "Land is a finite resource – and yet areas like this are not being used. That seems crazy to me.

"And if the authorities want to get in the way of that logic, then we will fight them – but peacefully."

The surging interest in the activity is reflected by the growing number of people signed up to his website guerrillagardening.org.

It includes displays information on a recent project to plant flowers in Southwark as well as providing pictures and tips for aspiring Guerilla Gardeners.

One of the most famous acts of guerilla gardening took place in Londons Parliament Square in 2000, when thousands of volunteers began planting flowers and vegetables in the public space.