Disabled gardeners in Brighton and Hove are set to have their own mini-allotments.

Allotment holders have launched an £80,000 appeal to convert three plots and set up the raised box beds for the disabled.

If the appeal is successful the first users could be growing their own vegetables before the end of summer.

Gerry Nevill, of the Brighton and Hove Allotment Federation, said: "There is no facility within the Brighton and Hove area, in fact along the whole South Coast, for disabled gardeners.

"We thought it was about time to do something in the allotment field, where people with all disabilities can try gardening and reap the benefits of the open air and good food."

Work has already started converting a plot at the Coldean allotments in Brighton. If fund-raising goes well, plots at the Foredown and Weald allotments, both in Hove, will follow.

Federation secretary John Smyth said: "The idea is that the disabled people would have individual ownership of their boxes, which they would pay rent for and grow things in.

"Each of the plots would be looked after by other allotment holders on the site who would act as caretakers and help the disabled gardeners."

The project's backers hope to start work straight away if they raise enough money from companies and individuals.

The federation can be contacted on 01273 681931.