Locals could soon be growing their own dinner if plans for a community garden on Streatham Common come to fruition.

Members of the Friends of Streatham Common are keen to turn the currently neglected nursery next to the rookery into a communal garden space where locals can grow their own fruit and vegetables.

Jools Townsend, chairman of the friend’s community garden committee, said: "It's mostly disused at the moment, but we want to turn it into a resource for the community.

"We're not turning it into an allotment site where everybody gets their own patch, it will be a space for everyone."

Mrs Townsend said she wants the project to become a centre for educating the community, and plans to offer sessions on food growing, garden recycling and sustainability.

She said: "We're keen to set up partnerships with schools and other community groups. We want to pass on skills to the community."

Councillor Florence Nosegbe, cabinet member for culture, said: "This is a fantastic idea and just the type of project we are really keen to support.

"Food growing projects give neighbourhoods access to healthy, locally grown fruit and vegetables, and bring local people together in a really positive way, and they are a good example of what we mean when we talk about creating a 'Cooperative borough'."

The group are negotiating with the council over a suitable location for the plot and are looking for volunteers to help.

To get involved visit groupspaces.com/streathamcommoncommunitygarden.