GREENFINGERED youngsters have been able to create a stunning garden at their Worcester school following a generous donation from the city-based Sanctuary Group.

The housing and care provider, in partnership with its appointed development contractor Stepnell, has donated £1,000 to Fort Royal Community School to transform a piece of green space into a sunflower garden.

The Wylds Lane-based school used the cash to buy spades, a hose, rakes, shovels and a fence panel. The pupils, who have a range of special educational and physical needs, were then able to put the new equipment into good use for a gardening project.

As part of the outdoor learning classes, children learned about the process of growing the sunflowers from the digging and planting of the seeds to the watering and maintaining of them.

The fence panels can be moved to expand or change the shape of the area, which will enable school staff to start a new project for the pupils to get involved in.

Fort Royal Community School has been supported as a result of Sanctuary’s flagship housing development in Bromyard Road, St John’s - where residents have access to a variety of care and support as needed.

Margaret Jones, Fort Royal’s grant administrator, said: "The contribution from Sanctuary Group has enabled us to improve the learning opportunities we can provide.

"The sunflower garden has given everyone a real lift. All the children in school have benefited enormously, you walk past and can’t help but smile."

Cath Jordan, from Sanctuary, added: “We’re always looking for community projects to support that will benefit residents in the areas we’re building new homes and we were delighted to be able to work with this fantastic school.

"Not only has our funding been used to create this beautiful sunflower garden for staff and pupils to enjoy, but its underlying benefit is that the children have been able to develop a range of skills which they’ll be able to take back into the classroom."