BRAINTREE’S new community interest company got off to a flying start in completing their first major project.

The Braintree District Foundation had been contacted by the volunteers at the Braintree and Bocking Public Gardens asking for help.

With the help of the foundation, Tesco and Wyevale got involved and brought the manpower and resources to give the gardens a new lease of life.

Brooks Newmark, former Braintree MP and president of the Foundation, said: “Something in the centre of the town like this is for the whole community.

“The businesses are part of the community and all of us are working together to try and give the gardens a face lift.

“It is an amazing garden in the centre of town and we want to encourage more people to come here.

“It is so important that people do use the garden.”

Valerie Morrison, a volunteer at the gardens, said: “I have lived in Braintree for about eight years.

“I saw a sign up saying they needed volunteers one day and I thought why not.

“I had walked past it so many times before, some people do not know it is here.

“It is a wonderful thing they everyone has done.”