ENTHUSIASTIC gardeners celebrated the humble potato with a dedicated day.

The Growing Together Community Gardens opened its gates for its second South East Essex Seed Potato Day.

With the average person eating 500 potatoes every year, visitors were encouraged to consider growing their own.

Matt King, chief executive of Trust Links, which runs the community gardens, said: “People are worried about getting dirty and things like that, but once you have a go you just want to try different things.

“Home-grown produce tastes better. You can really taste the difference from vegetables you buy in the supermarket.”

The event gave growers the chance to buy more than 40 varieties of potato seeds, as well as fully grown examples to take home and taste.

The main purpose of the community gardens is to help people from the Southend area suffering from mental illness.

Mr King said something as simple as growing your own food can have a big impact. He said: “It’s about helping people feel that sort of pride.

“There is always a sense of achievement you get when you have grown something you’re eating for dinner.”

The day was run in association with the Leigh Allotment and Leisure Garden Association and the South East Essex Organic Gardeners.

Experts gave advice about growing potatoes, but there was a variety of activities on offer for families.

Children got to try their hand at potato printing, while parents had the chance to browse a number of craft stalls.

Carole Shorney, from South East Essex Organic Gardeners, said: “Potatoes are a simple crop to grow and ideal whether your garden is large or small. The taste of home-grown, freshly dug spuds is hard to beat.”