Every Sunday morning a group of green-fingered volunteers throw open the doors of an old bomb shelter to provide equipment and advice for the borough’s allotment holders.

The Woodford and District Horticultural Society is a non-profit organisation which sells seed, fertilisers and gardening equipment at cut price rates from the shelter underneath a railway viaduct in Scoter Close, Woodford Green.

At 40, Michelle Ward is one of the group’s youngest members.

She said: “My great grandfather used to have an allotment outside the depot on Broadmead Road in the 1940s.

“My grandfather took it over from him and was there until they built flats on that part of the allotment.

“We’re a green-fingered family and my dad still helps me out on my allotment.”

Miss Ward, of Roding Lane North, Woodford Bridge, is urging more people to join the society.

She said: “It’s not that we are desperate for new members we just want to encourage more people to get involved so that we can preserve the legacy of this place for future generations.

“It’s wonderful down here– even if it does get a bit chilly.

“When you come down on a Sunday morning you’ll get more than just tools and seeds.

“You’ll get advice. If you are looking for an allotment we may be able to find you one and because we are not for profit we will never sell you anything you don’t need.

“Growing your own food is very rock and roll if you ask me. But you need help getting started and we can provide that.”

The depot, which was once an air raid shelter, opens from 9.30am-noon every Sunday between January to November and members exhibit at events including the Buckhurst Hill flower show and the Copped Hall apple day.

Membership costs just a few pounds a year.

Miss Ward said: “Forget the gym. Digging an allotment is the best way to keep fit.

“And you can’t beat the satisfaction of eating your food and thinking ‘I grew that.’”

To find out more email woodfordanddistricths@gmail.com