DOZENS of gardeners young and old flocked to Bolton-le-Sands library to swap flower, herb and vegetable seeds for their plots.

So popular was the seed swap event - the second of its kind - that villagers were queuing to get in when doors opened on Saturday morning, said Louise Belcher, show secretary of Bolton-le-Sands Horticultural Society.

"People of all ages came along ranging from one youngster choosing his very first ever crop to grow - carrots in this case - to seasoned vegetable growers looking for heirloom varieties that are no longer available to buy," Louise told the Gazette.

At least 40 villagers rummaged through two tables of surplus seed packets, from purple podded peas to asparagus kale, as well as buying plants and Jerusalem artichokes. Although the seeds were free, donations raised £57 for the Lancaster Canal Trust, the society's charity of the year.

As Louise explained, the event also gave a show of support for Bolton-le-Sands library, which is among those facing potential closure by Lancashire County Council.

"The library is a fantastic venue and we are pleased to be able to support them with an event like this," said Louise. "A petition being run by Bolton-le-Sands WI in favour of keeping the library open has gathered several hundred signatures in just a few weeks and we hope it will help swing things in our favour with regard to keeping the library open."

Anybody who missed the seed swap is invited to pick up seeds at the Bolton-le-Sands community coffee mornings held on Thursdays from 9.45am to 11.15am.

The horticultural society is also to hold a gardeners' question time at the library this summer, date to be announced.