MEMBERS of a youth development project have transformed the allotment area of a school for children with special needs.

The Derwent Valley Partnership supported the Haggrid Branches Out project, which was involved in creation of a workable allotment area for pupils at Villa Real School, in Consett.

The Haggrid project on Tuesday, September 22 officially handed the allotment back to the school.

The dozen young people who took part in the work attend Consett Academy and are aged from 12 to 14-years-old. The scheme was run in conjunction with the Durham Agency Against Crime.

Villa Real teacher Rachael Richardson said: "We had an allotment area that was in an unworkable state and needed someone to carry out the work.

"The project needed somewhere to carry out work – it was a perfect match.

"They have put down paving stones and raised the beds to wheelchair height and carried out general maintenance. the work they have done is fantastic.

"The allotment area is now more user-friendly for the school’s pupils."

Haggrid was launched in 2012 and enables young people to make a positive contribution to their local area.

Villa Real is a mixed day school for pupils aged two to 19 who have severe, profound, medical and complex learning difficulties.

For more information about Haggrid visit www.daac.org.uk/index.php/projects/haggrid.