A BOTANICAL centre has long sung the praises of its army of volunteer workers.

Now Nature's World, Middlesbrough, has decided to pay a musical tribute to the unpaid helpers and special needs groups who regularly toil away in the gardens and trial beds.

The centre staged a free concert for the volunteers this week and everyone was invited.

The performers were 20-year-old singers Nicky Bean and Hayley Gabriella who only met four days ago.

Art student Nicky, from Acklam, and Hayley, from Manchester, plan to sing professionally as the pop and indie rock duo Libra, a name taken from their birth sign