A GROUP of gardeners are turning old metal water tanks into street planters to brighten up their town.

Wanstead Community Gardeners want the community to pick flowers and herbs planted in disused tanks as part of their mission “to transform sad patches of public soil and make them worth walking past.”

Gardeners have placed two tanks by Wanstead tube station and will plant herbs for commuters to pick on their way home.

Marian Temple, a member of the group said: “We had the idea of putting a couple of old tanks in a corner by Wanstead station and planting them with herbs so that commuters could take home a handful of fresh herbs. Like many ideas, this one grew and grew.

“The London Underground Area Manager really liked the idea so a beautiful wall painting of a summer meadow appeared above the tank planters.  

“Soon we will have the herbs planted. By next year, they should be well rooted enough for people to be able pick leaves. It’s wonderful how a bit of plantery and a bit of paintery can transform a dreary corner into something worth looking at.”

Katherine Poluck, a botanic illustrator, and Karen Humpage, a calligrapher and mural painter, created the mural above the tanks.