Visitors to a new community garden had a great time partying when it was officially opened last weekend.

A new residents’ movement promoted the change to the new garden, which was on a patch of land next to St Botolph’s Church in Vicarage Drive, Northfleet.

People and businesses from the Gravesham Community Network (GCN) had been volunteering their time to transform the derelict patch of land.

Over the past few months, it had been given a new pond, plants, decking and more and was officially opened by the High Sheriff of Kent, Jane Ashton, on Saturday.

Mrs Ashton was also given a tour of the site.

After the official ribbon cutting ceremony, visitors garden opens with a party on Saturday, which featured performances from local artists and free food.

The GCN volunteers were brought together by the charity Porchlight and Northfleet North ward councillor Peter Scollard (Lab) from the No Walls Gardens community group.

Construction company, Balfour Beatty donated eight tonnes of soil for the garden.

Director of No Walls Gardens Gary May said: “Balfour Beatty’s donation means we have been able to do some great landscaping work for our garden."

Porchlight is aiming to launch similar community networks around the county.

The charity’s Sarah Bieniasz, who oversaw the project, said: “It’s about bringing people together, creating a stronger community spirit and helping people realise they can bring about change.

“Porchlight has been managing this project but it was the residents who decided they wanted a new garden.

“We brought them together and made them realise what could be achieved by working with one another.

“Now the garden project is complete, we hope residents in our GCN will go on to develop more schemes to benefit the area and also be there to support one another.

The GCN currently has 42 members, but anyone is welcome to join.

Most have been involved with the garden project while others are working on an art exhibition which will be unveiled later in the autumn.

If you are interested in starting one in your area, contact Lauren Alper at LaurenAlper@porchlight.org.uk