NO MATTER how successful Evesham schools were with their end of term results this year, they certainly got 10 out of 10 for community spirit.

Young people from 11 schools and colleges planted more than 9,000 plants in their school grounds to help Evesham in its bid to beat other towns in the nation-wide Britain in Bloom competition.

Evesham in Bloom organiser Diana Raphael said: "Children from Greenhill School have planted a millennium garden, St Egwin's has a living museum of old varieties of fruit trees, Swan Lane has done wonders, planting a woodland for the millennium and transforming land around a bit of concrete into lovely gardens."

St Richard's school she said had made an arbour out of willows in the shape of a crown for the millennium, many other schools planted up tubs and hanging baskets, and The Vale school had even formed its own Blooming Company business.

All the plants and compost were donated by the Evesham firm, Proculture Plant Centre at the beginning of the year and it was up to the children to decide how and where they were going to plant them.

Many schools included gardening and caring for the plants within the national curriculum through science, geography, biology and maths.

Pupils in one school composed poems about gardens and flowers as part of their English studies.

Mrs Raphael said: "We are very proud of our schools and grateful to our sponsors who together have made a fantastic contribution to our Britain in Bloom entry."

Judging the schools category took place before the end of term and the winners will be announced in September.