NEW benches in an organic garden in Millport are looking ship-shape after being created from old pieces of Millport Pier.

A small part of the historic structure has been preserved in the new seats recently installed at Cumbrae Community Garden.

The project has been funded by North Ayrshire Council’s Green Health Partnership.

The benches were designed and made by local craftsman Eddie Murray, who used old timber from the pier to form the legs and wood from the original Glasgow Zoo for the seats.

The same funding also allowed the community garden to carry out general improvements to the garden's patio area.

The new seats and the awning are just part of a whole series of improvements made recently at the facility.

The Kelburn Windfarm Community Fund paid for new paving to improve access to plots for less mobile members, while a grant from the Magnox helped to provide better facilities within the bothy.

A delighted Una Murray, chair of Cumbrae Community Garden, said: “We are delighted with the benches. It’s great to have recycled wood originally used within the pier kept in use.

"We are very grateful for all the grant funding that has helped us maintain and improve the garden recently and to make it more accessible as it’s such an important asset for the community.

"Unfortunately this year we have not been able to hold an open day or enjoy our usual social evenings, and we’ve missed seeing the Cumbrae Primary School and Sanctuary Care Home groups coming to tend their plots.

"We look forward to a time when we can once again all get together and make use of the lovely new seats in the peaceful surroundings of the community garden.

"A big thank you to everyone who helped to make all these improvements to the garden and especially to all the founder members for creating such a special environment in which to grow our own healthy fruit and vegetables.”

The garden, which was opened in 2012, is situated in the grounds of Garrison House and constructed with the aim of encouraging members of the local community to grow organic fruit and vegetables.

Their ethos is to encourage healthy eating, share knowledge about growing food and foster community spirit.

Each member is allocated a raised bed and growing space in our poly-tunnels. Experienced and novice gardeners are welcome to become plot-holders.

Members of the local community who would like to become involved with the community garden but who cannot commit to subscribing to a plot are encouraged to join ‘Friends of Cumbrae Community Garden’.

‘Friends’ will be able to use the facilities in the garden, have the option to help out with communal garden jobs, join in with our educational and social events and generally become involved in activities.

For more details about the group, please go to www.facebook.com/groups/CumbraeCommunityGarden/