A COMMUNITY farm project continues to gather pace after securing two plots of land to grow vegetables and keep livestock.

Officials behind the Diss Community Farm staged a cream tea event at the weekend to mark the adoption of the organisation's constitution.

Almost 40 people have already signed up to the scheme, which aims to grow more locally produced food and help slash food miles.

The group has secured land at Church Farm, Winfarthing, for a vegetable plot and a 2.5-acre area of woodland behind the Tesco supermarket in Diss for raising livestock at two pilot sites.

On Sunday, the project's constitution was voted in and the committee members appointed to the roles of chairman, secretary and treasurer. As a result, the financial side of the project could spring into action and the first membership fees were taken.

A 10x1000m area at the Winfarthing part of the community farm, which is being co-ordinated by Gabbi Reid, has been enclosed using donated second-hand chicken wire and seeds have been sown. A shed is set to be put up at the site at the group's next farm work day on Saturday.

The community farm will also be keeping pigs on an area of woodland in Diss and has received donations of feed from BOCM Pauls, and free electric fencing and a metal feed storage shed for the livestock project, which will be run by Leeanne Eaton. They also plan to keep geese at the site.

Angela Lamb, chairman of the Diss Community Farm, said they hoped to have their first livestock in place by the beginning of June. Officials hope to secure a more long-term farm site on land off the A1066 between Roydon and Bressingham.

'We have been amazed at the generosity of people in the community. Whilst we're enjoying getting really involved in the details of the pilot projects we are aware that we need to continue with plans to find Diss Community Farm a permanent home once the pilot projects come to an end,' she said.

For more information, visit the community farm website at www.dissfoodcommunity.wordpress.com