GREEN-FINGERED gardeners in Westy are celebrating after being handed a huge grant to boost their allotments.

The Kingsway Allotment Society has been awarded £10,000 from the National Lottery to improve the facilities on its site.

The cash came from Awards For All, which makes sure that the lottery good causes money reaches a wide range of groups.

The society was the first of its type in the north west to be given the full grant amount.

Frank McGivern, chairman of the group, said: "I don't think it has sunk in yet.

"It will help the allotment because once we've got a shed we can apply for more grants for tools."

The grant will be used to build new paths and fund a new secure storage unit for tools and equipment.

Mr McGivern said: "The fun- ding will provide gardeners with recycling areas so instead of dumping waste they can recycle and reuse it.

"We are well on the way with the work."

It is hoped that, once the work is complete, the society would like to involve schools and special needs groups from the area by getting them to visit the allotments.

The work is due to be completed before the end of this year.