GREEN fingered volunteers rolled up their sleeves and helped prepare a community garden for spring planting season today (Friday, March 21).

People of all ages descended on the Pioneering Care Centre in Newton Aycliffe for the event, which is part of the Big Dig, a national garden volunteering scheme.

As well as completing a variety of simple gardening tasks, including weeding and bulb-planting, the volunteers had the chance to make a seed pot.

Meanwhile, children from House of Eden Nursery, which is based at the centre, took part in a minibeast hunt while preparing their own vegetable patch.

Donna Hutchison, from House of Eden, said: “We are really interested in growing our own vegetables and cooking with them in the nursery. The children have really enjoyed themselves.

“They especially liked searching for worms and other minibeasts.”

The event also promoted Pot to Plate, a new 16-week course, which will begin at the centre on Wednesday, April 2.

Funded by Great Aycliffe and Middridge Area Action Partnership, the free course will see horticultural specialist Howard Leslie offer practical tips on growing a variety of vegetables, cultivating fruit and herbs, and much more.

For more information contact 01325-321234 or enquiries@pcp.uk.net