GARDENERS from Booker helped themselves to 40 tonnes of free compost during a take-away event at the High Heavens composting facility.

The giveaway on Saturday, July 9, marked the first anniversary of the facility which transforms garden and food waste into safe and valuable organic fertiliser.

Organisers from The Waste Partnership for Buckinghamshire and Terra Eco-Systems opened the gates at 10am, although people armed with spades had been queueing since 9.15am.

The scheme at High Heavens has run in conjunction with home composting.More than 40,000 home composting bins have been distributed across the county.

Advice on how to make the most of compost at home was available from the High Heavens staff at the event.

Cllr Rodney Royston, vice chairman of the Waste Partnership for Buckinghamshire, said: "The day proved to be a tremendous success and I am pleased that so many residents took the opportunity to sample the fantastic soil conditioner that is being made at this facility.

"This composting facility is delivering a major change in the way we deal with our waste.

"Instead of going to landfill sites, large amounts of kitchen and garden rubbish are being turned into a valuable resource that is now of direct benefit to the local community and the environment."