A colourful pop-up garden has opened at Tolworth Station, to the delight of Kingston residents.

The project, called 'Crop-Ups', was set up last month at the station after appearing at Hampton Court Garden Festival.

The temporary garden is run by social enterprise The Community Brain and has already received compliments from locals.

Community Brain director and trustee Robin Hutchinson said it was "really lovely" to hear the positive feedback for the garden.

"Commuters were stopping to comment and say how beautiful it is & what a difference it makes," he said.

Installed by volunteers and those doing Community Payback, Crop-Ups adds a dose of vitality to the previously barren space.

The project repurposes eight painted wheelie bins as planters which together spell out the project's name.

In front of these are re-homed plants from the Hampton Court Festival and Wimbledon Championships.

Above the garden is a wooden "geodesic" dome structure with eye-catching colourful bunting wrapped around it.

As well as looking beautiful, Crop-Ups has a social mission.

It is intended to provide a food growing space for the community, many of whom don't have access to a green patch as allotments are becoming scarce.

"According to a recent report there are roughly 220 people for every allotment plot in the UK," Robin said in an interview with the RHS about the project.

"The allotment with the longest waiting list is the one closest to Hampton Court Palace.

"We need to recognise not everyone has access to a plot."

He added: ""People who are time poor, people who are financially stuck – an allotment might be a big, big commitment.

"We hope to find a middle ground."

In a blog post about the project, the Community Brain paid tribute to the "herculean efforts" of the volunteers.

They added: "Special thanks to Simon Jakeman, SC Fencing & Groundworks, Nat Lunn, Scotscape, IdVerde, Guinness Homes, Network Rail, SouthWestern Rail, Community payback, 121 Collective and of course the wonderful volunteers - without which these projects simply couldn't happen."

To get involved with the pop-up garden, email [email protected] or visit in person.

The group also does volunteer call-outs and can be found on Facebook.

Have you been to see the new garden? Let us know what you think - tag @KingstonNubNews on social.

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