Free seeds to be given out in new nature scheme

The council is handing out free seeds in a bid to develop a "seed library"

Residents will be given free packets of seeds and encouraged to join guided nature walks around Manchester as a part of a new scheme at libraries.

Manchester City Council is teaming up with Natural England to establish seed libraries at eight locations around the city, and giving seeds to people who sign up.

The council said people would be "encouraged to allow their seeds to grow to maturity and flower, then collect and return resultant seeds to the seed library for others to access".

The project will also include workshops and guided nature walks from local libraries to the Boggart Hole Clough, Highfield Country Park and Wythenshawe Park.

'Vital' resources

The seeds offered would be from wildflowers, herbs and vegetables that are easy to grow and meet local biodiversity requirements, the council said.

It has been given £10,000 in government funding for the project, which aims to help communities build stronger connections with nature.

Councillor John Hacking said: "Libraries are vital community resources that improve the lives of residents and communities."

He added: "It is great that we have been successful in gaining this funding to increase libraries' role in connecting people with nature."