YOUNGSTERS in the Chester-le-Street area have become green-fingered thanks to a school gardening project.

Twenty-eight schools, children’s centres and youth groups were given the chance to make their grounds more colourful.

The All Together Blossoming project was launched in September 2011 to encourage children and young people to take pride in their environment and become more aware and active in making it a more attractive place in which to live, play and learn.

The project was delivered by Groundwork North East with the Chester-le-Street and District Area Action Partnership (AAP) under the auspices of the Opportunities for Children and Young People AAP task group.

Youngsters were asked to design and plant a half barrel with bulbs and plants to blossom in the spring and summer.

Each centre that took part also received information about growing projects, planting time tables and methods, and a plaque to commemorate their participation in the project.

Karen Collins, project officer for Groundwork North-East, said: “This project provided a fantastic opportunity to engage young people in gardening and learning about how to look after their environment.

“With the knowledge and skills that they have learnt through the project, schools and youth groups will now be able to continue improving their schools gardens and local community areas.”