The community garden that inspired a comic book

The children worked on creating the comic book with Magic Torch Comics and staff from the Watt Institution

It might not be the crime-ridden streets of Gotham City or the soaring skyscrapers of Metropolis - but a community garden in Greenock has inspired a new comic book.

A group of 12 children spent the summer learning about the Drying Green Community Garden at South West Library.

They then created a bright and colourful book focused around two children discovering the secrets of the garden, from creepy vines to killer tomatoes and helpful gnomes.

Copies of the comic have been printed and are in South West Library, where staff now intend to use it as an educational resource for schools and families.

The children - all aged nine or 10 - worked on creating the comic book with Paul Bristow from Magic Torch Comics, who specialise in educational and community books, and staff from the Watt Institution heritage attraction.

The plot follows dynamic duo Leo and Kylie, who meet Professor Chilli-Mustard and Flutters the Butterfly and learn about the Drying Green garden.

As well as the story, the 24-page book includes digital elements and augmented reality, such as a QR code linking to a soundscape created by recording plants in the garden with special microphones.

The story ideas and characters were all created by the children with artists Katherine Hemmings, Craig Munro and Tony Pickering providing the illustrations.

The book is now available from libraries and digitally

Mr Bristow said the children had been filled with ideas for the project.

He added: "I love that it's such a collaborative effort, from the character designs and stories the young people came up with, through to the music and digital elements of the published comic - it's a great way for folks to learn about what's going on in community greenspaces and why they are so important."

The Drying Green was created in 2022 at a rundown site next to South West Library, and is used as a shared greenspace for community growing and outdoor events.

Councillor Natasha McGuire, Inverclyde Council's vice-convener of education and communities, added: "This is a brilliant project. Not only have the young people showed their creative side, they've learned about the importance of community gardens and growing your own fruit and vegetables.

"They spent time outdoors learning about the garden and even recorded the sounds to add another dimension to the comic."

The comic book can be read online, as well as in in South West Library.