HENDON MP Matthew Offord has praised the work of an allotment project that teaches skills to adults with autism.

The Conservative politician sat in on a lesson in ground maintenance on Friday at the former bowls pavilion in Kenton Recreation Ground, in Carlton Avenue, where the Larches Community project is based.

Mr Offord said: “This project is the real Big Society in action. The Larches Trust is not an extension of the state and does not expect a grant in these cash-strapped times.

“Instead they make things happen themselves and I will be drawing the Larches to the attention of the Prime Minister and the Government as an example of how we need to put in place the systems so that other such organisations can flourish.”

The charity, whose other projects are based in Edgware, is currently bidding to redevelop the land at Kenton Recreation Park into a dedicated centre for allotments.

There are fears that the charity could be forced to leave the site if they do not secure permission from Harrow Council.

The one-year course the charity runs at the site teaches users how to grow plants from seed, the life cycle of gardening and how to use the appropriate tools and personal protection equipment – with a City and Guilds qualification at the end of it.

Mr Offord has been a supporter of the project since he joined Parliament, highlighting its work in his maiden speech in the House of Commons in June last year.