Gardeners in Bishopsteignton will be able to exchange seeds and plants thanks to the launch of a phone box seed bank.

The initiative will be based in the former BT red telephone kiosk on Fore Street.

The project was one of many suggested by the community after Bishopsteignton Parish Council acquired the redundant BT phone box earlier this year.

Councillors reviewed a range of ideas, including an art gallery and library, at the September Parish Council meeting. They concluded that a seed swap and information centre for wildlife-friendly gardening and the community plot would be best suited for the village.

Councillors concluded that a free book swap may have negatively impacted other community venues that already use books to raise vital funds. And, while the idea of an art gallery was tempting, there were concerns that conditions within the kiosk might not have been suitable and that security could be an issue.

The seed swap kiosk will be operational in a few weeks after it has been cleaned up and repainted.

Bishopsteignton Climate Impact Action (CIA) welcomed the parish council’s decision. ‘We’re looking forward to sharing information and seeds to enhance wildlife gardening across the parish,’ a spokesperson said.

The village wildlife wardens are now developing design plans for the inside of the box and finalising how seeds and plants will be displayed.

Wildlife wardens will also hold a session with children from Bishopsteignton Primary School at the community plot and allotments to harvest seeds and explain why this is important for wildlife and ecology.

In Newton Abbot, seeds that have been collected this year will be processed and packed at a Newton Abbot Seed Library event at the Courtenay Centre between 7pm and 9pm on October 30. Anyone is welcome to bring their own seeds to donate.