DERELICT wasteland next to a £10m state-of-the-art health centre in Possilpark has been transformed into a community growing space and urban gym wall.

The land, once blighted by fly tipping and litter, has been turned into greenspace with sculpted garden, allotments and exercise wall.

The Possilpark Health and Care Centre site is now bearing fruit for the community group and individual plot owners - and bringing growers together.

Garden co-ordinator Kate Shaw said: "The garden has got off to a great start in our first growing season – there has been good engagement with the community and lots of tasty fruit and vegetables have already been produced.

"We have 10 local organisations who have adopted beds. It's a fantastic opportunity for people to learn about growing.

"There are also huge social benefits that are sometimes unexpected for people. One plot holder told me; 'I thought I was coming here to learn about growing food and to get my own vegetables, but I've realised that it's about so much more than that. I'm getting to know lots of my neighbours who I never knew before and now when we see each other on the street we wave or stop and chat. It has really changed my experience of living in this community.'"

The Forestry Commission Scotland project, with Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS, aims to encourage healthy eating and community ownership.

The 'back garden' space includes 25 small allotments, with 10 for local groups and organisations, and the others are large communal plots.

Kate said staff at the health centre were encouraged to use the garden during lunch breaks and use it as part of patient recovery.

The health centre, which officially opened in April, includes four GP practices, general dental practitioner services, physiotherapy, district nursing, health visitors, social work, addiction services and health improvement teams.

Kate added: "We provide lots of opportunities for people to get involved, ranging from informal drop-in sessions to more structured courses about growing food. There has been a really positive response from the community, with people dropping in for a look round and commenting how much it has changed the local community.

"The garden is used by a wide range of people and it has been great to have staff at the health centre taking on plots and working alongside local residents. It also creates a relaxing space where the staff can come to unwind for a while."

The long term plan is to turn it into a community hub with events. Current activities include gardening drop-in sessions and workshops.

A concrete gym wall provides 10 exercise stations where people can practice shuttle runs, wall hangs and press-ups.