GREEN-fingered residents are celebrating after winning £5,000 to secure their gardens.

South Moor Garden Association will use the cash to improve the allotments in Jane Gardens and North Gardens, South Moor, Stanley.

Club official Chris Lowther said: "In the past, our members have experienced a lot of vandalism, so we were determined to do something to prevent them suffering more damage to crops and equipment."

Better fences and new gates are top of the group's shopping list, but more improvements are planned.

Mr Lowther said: "We need to raise more money to provide a water supply to the allotments that don't have water at the moment."

The association won the cash from the National Lottery Awards for All scheme, after getting help with the application from Marie Moore, funding officer at Derwentside District Council.

Community groups wanting help applying for funding can call the council on (01207) 218203