Hi! I’m Sophia and today I spent the day filming with my charming camerawoman, Marissa.

We got hold of a brilliant story on allotments in Hackney that are being opened up along Regents Canal to be given for free to residents on benefits. This means that people who have limited cash and a lack of outdoor space can head out to the canal and grow their own fruit and vegetables.

Marissa quickly complained that the talent wasn’t wearing sensible shoes – oops!

But we had a lovely time chatting to an expert on allotments in East London – Jeff Barber – who told us why we need allotments in inner city boroughs.

Next, we headed to the Hoxton towpath itself to see where Reclaimed London will be opening up their allotments.

It looks a bit messy at the minute, but after some TLC and community spirit I’m sure it will look great.

Local residents were keen for the new initiative to help residents on benefits eat more healthily, but others thought that the canal path is narrow enough as it is and doesn’t need allotments getting in the way. One grandmother was convinced that things would get stolen or that someone would come along and ruin the vegetable patches.

The path is indeed very narrow – Marissa valiantly fought joggers and cyclists for space on the path to set up the camera and tripod.

But the community in Hackney is one of London’s most diverse, and in between all the graffiti, bramble and barges, the Hoxton towpath looks like an eclectic place to set up a new community of green thumbs.

Make sure to tweet us those allotment snaps and we’ll announce the North London winner! @CityNews_LDN

City Investigates