“Every effort must be made” to save a much-loved community garden, a top Bracknell Forest councillor has said.

The Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare is a six-acre garden offering community, health and well-being to its volunteers – welcoming people with disabilities or disadvantaged backgrounds.

But it was mothballed on Monday, September 11, after social landlord Silva Homes decided to stop leasing the land from agricultural science company Syngenta.

Councillor Helen Purnell – responsible for the environment and community cohesion – said she is working with the Friends of Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare to find ways to keep it going. She also said the council is working to find a new leaseholder for the site.

READ MORE: Volunteers fear for Jealott's Hill Community Landshare

She said: “The Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare is a valuable asset which has had a positive impact on a wide range of communities, including people with mental, physical and learning disabilities, giving them an opportunity to work together in the fresh air, build their confidence, develop new skills and find support for their health and wellbeing.”

Councillor Purnell gave the assurances in writing to a meeting of Bracknell Forest Council on Wednesday, September 13.

She was answering a question from councillor John Harrison, who wanted an update on what the council had done to secure the landshare’s future.