Residents who have tended to a garden with a difference in Canning Town have been rewarded for putting old bags to good use.

The GreEn 16 project, in Freemasons Road, has bagged an award of merit in the 2011 Gardening Against All Odds awards.

Vegetables are planted and grown in more than 120 recycled builders bags and old food cartons.

Far from wilting in unfamiliar surroundings, several Brussels sprouts, potatoes, garlic and herbs have been planted in readiness for next spring.

People who live in the nearby Normandy Terrace and Maywynne House have spent the last year transforming the former derelict space.

Jean McQuaid, one of the gardeners from the project, said the award came at the end of a year of hard work.

She said “We have been working from recyclable bags and you would be surprised at what we have grown in them.

“We are multicultural, and we all care, share and work all together so I can’t take all the credit. We aren’t grateful enough.

The Gardening Against All Odds awards is a national scheme organised by The Conservation Foundation and the Sunday Telegraph.

Sam Clark, Newham Council’s participation officer, paid tribute to the hard work of all the residents who put the garden together.

“It’s a really strong community project,” he added.

Members of the GreEn 16 project will be honoured at a celebration to be held in the Great Conservatory of Syon House in March next year.