VIDEO Hordes of excited school children were today eagerly awaiting a new community garden that could be days away from becoming a reality.Children from schools across south west Ipswich gathered at the Maidenhall allotments to take part in the crucial next stage of the Town and Bridge community garden project.

HORDES of excited school children were today eagerly awaiting a new community garden that could be days away from becoming a reality.

Children from schools across south west Ipswich gathered at the Maidenhall allotments, in Maidenhall Approach, Ipswich, to take part in the crucial next stage of the Town and Bridge community garden project.

The project has fought off hundreds of competitors to make it into the final list of eight other community schemes to win £83,000 in the People's Million's Big Lottery Fund, due to be aired on ITV next week.

The children, from Hillside primary school and Stoke High School, were interviewed and asked what they wanted to grow in the community garden if the project wins the cash.

Julie Stokes, from the town and bridge project, said: “The children are really excited, they're really keen to get outside and do something in the fresh air.

“With all the things in the papers at the moment about children with obesity it's great because the project is focused on learning about healthy eating and growing your own fruit and vegetables.

“We also have older people that grow vegetables in their back garden who are keen to come and share those skills with the children.”

Sergeant Karl Nightingale from Suffolk police was also at the allotments to give support for the project.

He said: “It's a fantastic idea and it's also a great way of encouraging young people to be healthy and to think about what they eat.”

Richard Couldridge, the extended school officer for Suffolk County Council, said: “The benefits that this can bring to a community are incredible.

“A year ago we managed to get an allotment plot for Ranelagh primary school and at the harvest festival they made an onion pie and brought a basket full of vegetables and that's exactly what we're trying to do here but get the whole community involved in it.

“We've had children say that they thought vegetables came from the shelves in Asda! They didn't realise that they grow from the ground until now.”

If the project wins the cash the garden will include a herb circle, a polytunnel for indoor growing, vegetable plots and fruit trees.

The film will be aired at 6pm on November 29 on ITV.

For more information on the project and how to vote call Julie Stokes on 01473 261112.