A PIECE of waste ground at Ruspidge near Cinderford is being transformed into a community garden.

A local playgroup is working with Coleford-based Forest Upcycling to make an outdoor classroom for toddlers and a focus for the community.

Workers from Forest Upcycling tackled nettles and brambles as high as six feet to give a green canvas.

Ruspidge and Soudley Early Learners was given the go-ahead to transform the ground behind Ruspidge Memorial Hall by owners Ruspidge Parish Council.

Katie Auld, of the playgroup committee, said: “We are looking at the future. We have a three- to five-year plan where we want the memorial hall and early learners to turn into a community hub for Ruspidge.

“We are building an eco-play area with Forest Upcycling doing a lot of the work.

“We’re making a two-tiered garden so children have access to more areas, such as a story area, some dens and tunnels.”

Most of the new facilities will be made with materials that have been donated to the playgroup.

Mrs Aulds said: “We are trying to keep things environmentally-friendly and use things which otherwise would have been wasted – so we’ve got seats made out of crates, a story area from logs, a sandpit from donated scaffold planks and fencing from pallets.

“Local firm Bradford’s has donated a lot of piping that was going to be thrown out and will be used for tunnels.

“We want other community groups to use it outside playgroup hours and work with us.

“We’ll have a vegetable garden and the gardening group will help and we’ll sell vegetables to community and put the money back into the garden.”

It is hoped the work will be finished in early October for an open day.

The playgroup has raised about £400 and will make a donation to Forest Upcycling.