MANAGERS of a nation-wide foodstore have joined forces to create a garden paradise at a Worcester playgroup.

A total of 15 representatives from the Co-Operative Group - including managers from the Pershore and Worcester stores - took part in the project at Rushwick Pre-School in Upper Wick Lane, Rushwick.

The company donated a total of about £4,000 to the group through its Co-op Cares community project initiative for the garden and spent two days creating it.

It includes pathways, planters for the children to grow flowers, trees, a sundial, a new playhouse, fencing and seats.

Bernard Leeden, the Co-operative Group's manager for large stores for the Wales and borders region, said: "It went really well and was quite a big project with a lot of work to do.

"It was meant as a bit of a team-building exercise too so it was great."