A place to grow, eat and learn. That's the pledge by the new operator of Yalding Organic Garden, near Maidstone.

Organic fruit and vegetable specialist Maro Foods aims to give the centre a new lease of life. The firm has been successfully trading for three years as The Old Dairy, an award-winning retailer and distributor.

But founders Steve Oram and Rebecca Maxted could not always find enough produce to meet demand for their box scheme and had been looking at ways of increasing supply and expanding the business.

With Yalding Organic Garden, they believe they have a chance to do both.

Garden owner The Congelow Educational Organic Trust needed a new operator to replace Garden Organics which pulled out earlier this month.

The Trust said: "We have selected Maro Foods to take control of the site based upon their commitment to local/organic principles.

"Their plans to expand and develop the gardens into a resource centre for the public to see, learn about and try organic and local produce impressed the trustees."

Mr Oram believes the Garden will become a popular destination by offering tours, a shop and a cafe, and educational courses on gardening, food production and cookery.

He wants to make it a centre of excellence for sustainable organic gardening, growing enough produce for sale on-site and to augment supplies to the box scheme.

He said four gardeners would be staying on, and extra staff would be needed as the project developed.

Mr Oram added: "This is an excellent opportunity for us to further develop the organic principles applied at the centre and introduce our expertise in the local/organic produce market. We truly intend the centre to be a place to grow, to eat, to learn. It will be an exciting addition to our successful local food business."

The gardens are due to re-open to the public on Saturday May 24.