AN event offering experienced gardeners and those growing for the first time the chance to swap and share seeds and practical tips on composting and other aspects of eco-friendly gardening is taking place on Sunday in Wellington.

Transition Town Wellington is holding its annual seed swap from 2pm to 4pm at The Dolphin pub in Waterloo Road when locally-grown flower, herb and vegetable seeds will be available to swap.

Those new to gardening who don’t have anything to swap are welcome to go along and choose seeds they would like to grow.

There will be activities for children and a chance to make ‘wildflower seed bombs’.

A small voluntary donation will be welcome.

The event is part of a worldwide call to gardeners, consumers and communities to protect locally grown crop varieties which have been around for generations, taste good and grow well, but which are being lost because of increasing control of the seed supply by a handful of large companies.

Organiser Val Mister said: “With seeds now so expensive seed swaps provide a great opportunity for gardeners to share seeds they don’t need and try out others they may not have grown before.

“Also, seed from locally-grown vegetables and flowers is better adapted to local growing conditions than commercially-grown seeds.

“Wellington’s seep swap, with many others round the world, aims to keep precious resources alive.

“It’s much in keeping with the Transition Town philosophy of taking control and improving our lives, saving money as well as the world we live in by doing things for ourselves and keeping it local.”