GREEN fingered and penny concious residents can pick up three free bags of compost.

Between 10am and 2pm on May 8 kilos of the natural fertiliser will be given away at North Weald Airfield as part of the Epping Forest District Council initiative.

Residents must bring their own bags and a spade before helping themselves to up to three bags of compost while stocks last.

The compost was made from last years green-lidded food and garden waste wheelie bin collections and is part of a series of events across Essex celebrating International Compost Awareness Week.

A council spokesperson said: "Whether you’re a keen gardener or just getting started, come along and get free compost & composting advice.

"Expert composters will offer advice on how to make an excellent natural soil improver which can be used to dress lawns, pot up plants, revitalise flowerbeds, or mulched as a plant feed for vegetable patches.

"Composting is an excellent way to help your garden grow. It is also one of the most environmentally friendly ways to dispose of waste."