London to get growing for 2012

As London gears up for what should be one of its most significant years in living memory, mayor Boris Johnson has announced a new project to increase self-sufficiency within the city.

Looking to get gardeners growing their own food, the Capital Growth campaign aims to develop 2,012 sites designated for growing food by the time the Olympic Games arrive in 2012.

Chair of London Food Rosie Boycott came up with the idea and explained that the project will mainly be targeted at regenerating disused land.

"London has a good deal of green spaces – some derelict or underused – but not being used as well as they could be," she said.

"We also have a veritable host of enthusiastic gardeners who are well equipped to turning derelict or underused spaces into thriving oases offering healthy food and a fantastic focus for the community.

"Capital Growth will identify spaces across the capital – often in surprising places such as roof gardens – and help Londons communities grow their own food."

The news follows the Westminster in Bloom awards in which a nine-year-old was given a gong in a category designed to honour those who carry out work in "secret-gardens" out of the public eye.