Three years ago, this north Manchester alleyway was littered with dirty, old mattresses and so much rubbish people couldn't get through their back gates.
Now, it's been transformed into a floral paradise - a communal garden which is bringing neighbours together.
The passageway is just off Ridgway Street in Miles Platting and runs along the back of homes of Tinsley Close.
It is an oasis of colourful plants and water features, and also has outdoor lighting and benches for residents to sit on.
Elaine Quinn is one of three neighbours responsible for creating the mini paradise.
The 58-year-old suffers from fibromyalgia and arthritis, and can quite often be seen zooming up the alleyway on her mobility scooter, watering plants from a barrel which sits on the front of it.
"I moved here about four years ago from Newton Heath ," she said.
"My daughter left home for university and I had to downsize because of bedroom tax.
"It had been my home for almost 26 years and was sad to leave.
"I'd get a bit depressed looking out at the alleyway, it was dirty, full of old mattresses - you couldn't get through the back gate for all the rubbish.
"It wasn't a nice place, and I thought 'I've got to do something,' and that's what we did.
"We turned the alley into a dream."
Elaine has previously won Newton Heath in Bloom twice and Manchester in Bloom at her old address.
She and neighbours Alan Hart, 64, and 83-year-old Linda Riley now have their sights set on the top trophy at this year's competition.
"I brought a few plants from my old garden," Elaine added.
"I started off with two plant pots in the alley, and it went from there.
"It's lovely - neighbours come down and bring me pots and plants and compost.
"We're turning something ugly into something beautiful.
"It's like a communal garden now. Everyone is out here enjoying it.
"There's an elderly lady a few doors down, she said she'd lived her 23 years and never been into the alley until now.
"It has brought quite a few of the older neighbours out which has been lovely to see."
