PEOPLE in York are being urged to step up their efforts to grow their own vegetables and fruit.

A Year Of Action has been declared by Edible York, the charity which aims to inspire communities to grow edible produce in their own neighbourhoods.

The charity, which held its annual meeting on Saturday, has already prompted the creation of three public vegetable beds in the city centre – at the Barbican, Peasholme Green and Whip-ma-whop-ma-gate – and also community orchards in parks.

But founder and chairwoman Chloe Smee said the opportunities for edible urban growing were endless.

She said: “From businesses planting apple trees for local communities, to school kids using old ice cream tubs to create herb gardens, we want everyone to find a way to ‘edibilise’ their lives and communities.”

Trustee Vikki Pendry said: “We’re trying to get people to think creatively about how we feed ourselves as a city.”

• For more information, go to www.edibleyork.org.uk