A mental health day centre scheme has been given a new lease of life after securing a lottery grant of £87,000.

The Wiseworks Centre, in Marlborough Hill, Harrow, got the money from the Big Lottery Fund and will use it to enhance its horticultural project called Wiseacre.

The centre, run by Harrow Borough Council, offers people with mental health issues trips to public gardens and plant nurseries, as well as work experience placements at garden centres.

The money will also go towards employing a horticulturalist to help some centre users get NVQ and City and Guilds qualifications.

Chairman of the Wiseacre committee Alan Franks said: “Over the last two years we have worked hard to transform a small plot of land that has lain empty for many years and in doing so we are helping to transform the lives of people with mental health problems.

“With the extra funding and the support of our new horticulturalist, we will blossom.”

The improved scheme will be officially launched on Wednesday July 16 at a summer market morning and garden party.

The market is an annual event held by the Friends of Wiseworks group to raise money for the centre and is a chance for people to buy plants and gardening goods made and sourced from the site.

The market is open to the general public and runs from 10am to 1pm.