Green-thumbed enthusiasts have been asked to volunteer their skills to help community gardens flourish.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the public works minister, said: “Government is fully committed to doing its part to boost the agriculture industry's growth.

“I want to remind everyone that minimal experience is required. All that is needed is a love for our community and a desire to feed oneself.

“It’s also clear that each garden must have a leader – ideally from the neighbourhood – who is passionate about gardening and will be the driving force for success.”

Colonel Burch was speaking as a community garden in Southlands Park in Warwick was opened on Wednesday.

The park is the latest development in a scheme launched last year by Government to create community gardens in every parish.

Colonel Burch said that all 46 of the 12 by 12-foot plots had been assigned and that planting had already started.

He added that another community garden was scheduled to open in St. David’s in August.

Colonel Burch said: “There are also several new sites on the horizon as we identify areas in other parishes and work to achieve our goal of a community garden in every parish.

“If there are persons interested and willing to lead any of the future community garden sites, please come forward and volunteer so they can become operative in short order.”

For more information, contact Jameka Smith, the acting park planner at the parks department.