TWO green-fingered youth workers at Northallerton College have been signed up to share their passion for gardening with others.

Emma Casson, of Kirkby Fleetham, and Keeley Metcalfe, of Northallerton, are to run a series of Saturday workshops as part of the College's Lifelong Learning programme.

Ms Casson, a local environmental youth worker, will take her first session on Instant Gardens next month and will be focusing on the more practical side of gardening. Her second workshop, Herb Magic, on May 17, will look at herbs and their use in cooking and alternative medicine.

Ms Metcalfe, who works for community help group the Millennium Volunteers, will draw heavily on her degree in garden design for her four workshops running in June and July.

In May, both youth workers will share workshops on Design Ideas for Small Gardens.

All the workshops will be held at Northdale Horticulture, the Northallerton charity which helps people with learning disabilities.

"It is an ideal site with all the necessary facilities, including space to work inside and outside, plenty of parking and a shop where people can buy plants," said Sandra McDougal, the College's Lifelong Learning organiser.

"We regard the sessions as taster workshops which could develop into future courses, if the demand is there."

The workshops cost between £10 and £20.

To book, or for further details, call (01609) 774013 or (01609) 773340 ext 273.