A ground-breaking green scheme inspired by TV chef Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall is to be launched next month near Chepstow.

In a bid to tackle concerns about rising food prices and a wish to tap into the growing desire to reduce food miles and eat locally a local landowner and a community group believe they have the answer to these challenges.

Organic farmer Lyndon Edwards is providing a plot of land where local residents can grow their own fruit and vegetables in return for a share of their excess produce or a small annual payment.

The Tidenham Landshare Project is based on an approach that is taking root across the UK and that is inspired by Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall's Landshare initiative, the organisers hope to increase local self-sufficiency.

"I'm really keen to help the local community grow more of its own food and also develop an outlet for excess produce," said Mr Edwards.

Local community group Transition Chepstow is helping Mr Edwards get the project started and will also take part in the growing.

"More and more people are starting to grow their own fruit and veg, it's really rewarding," said Marcus Perrin, Transition Chepstow's project coordinator. "This is a terrific opportunity, whether you're a seasoned professional or new to grow your own."

Anyone interested in taking part in the project should get in touch with Mr Perrin via food@transitionchepstow.org.uk or 07944 468052. Growers will be required to sign a growing agreementâ with the land owner, Lyndon Edwards.

In 2007 Mr Edwards, who runs the 560 acre Severndale dairy farm in Tidenham, was a finalist in the Farmer of the Year competition run by the newspaper Farmers Weekly.

Transition Chepstow's aim is to help Chepstow and the surrounding villages to fight climate change and thrive by becoming more sustainable, less reliant on oil and a more sociable place to live.

There are now more than 58,500 people signed up to the Landshare initiative which was launched at Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall's River Cottage farm in 2009. Its aim to bring together people who have a passion for home-grown food with people who have land to share.