A woman has offered to rent out her Swindon vegetable plot on one hungry condition - she gets some of the produce.

Ruth Reeves, who lives in Rodbourne, moved to the United Kingdom 14 years ago from her home country of New Zealand.

She arrived in Oxford where she spent 11 years working but moved over to Swindon three years ago to start afresh.

“I came to the UK because my ancestors are originally from here, so I decided 14 years ago that it was time to see the other side of the world,” said Ruth.

“I then decided to move over to Swindon as it is a lot cheaper to live here than it is to do so in Oxford.”

When moving into her Morrison Street property, Ruth soon realised that she was unable to attend to her back garden due to the sheer work and effort needed.

“I had to admit that I do not have the stamina or abilities for looking after the garden,” she said.

After the 66-year-old had accepted that she could not look after the garden, she had the idea to offer the land to any keen Swindon gardener, but not for a monetary price.

“I didn’t want the garden to go to waste and I still don’t, so I am more than happy to allow someone to use it,” said Ruth.

Swindon Advertiser: Ruth's garden offers a large plot of land for the growth of several plants.Ruth's garden offers a large plot of land for the growth of several plants. (Image: Newsquest)

“There’d be no financial charge but I would like to have a bit of whatever they’re growing, I really don’t care what it is!”

She originally had the idea last year, but now Ruth is advertising the plot ahead of the spring so that any green-fingered folk could start planting in preparation.

“The idea first came to me in July of 2022 but that was a little too late in the year,” she said.

“I’d hate to see it go to weeds so it’d be lovely to see it utilised by someone, especially if they have no garden themselves.”

Swindon Advertiser: Ruth's land also comes with its very own greenhouse.Ruth's land also comes with its very own greenhouse. (Image: Newsquest)

Ruth has tried to grow plants in the plot having harboured gardening ambitions but her career with the NHS prevents her from having the time to let her ideas fully grow.

“I’ve always wanted to garden but I didn’t have the space when I was younger and now I work full-time in the NHS,” she said.

“I did grow some tomatoes in the greenhouse but the whole area has recently been weeded and is ready for someone else to take over.”

If you are interested in the plot, you can contact Ruth via her rufa_nz@outlook.com email address.