A GROUP of schoolchildren were the pride of east Cleveland's gardening community on Friday when they scooped an award from Northumbria In Bloom.

Pupils from Alderman William Jones Primary School, in Grangetown, went to Eston Town Hall to receive their award from the judges.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Redcar and Cleveland, Councillor Eric Jackson and Councillor Brenda Forster, were there to congratulate the youngsters for earning the prize in the Best School Horticultural Project category.

Headteacher Philip McElwee said: "It's been a wonderful learning experience for everyone. We have got a terrific environment here and to win the award of merit was just stunning."

The award marks the culmination of five years of hard work on the project, during which time the pupils have created a large pond feature and three different gardens, under the guidance of teachers Carol Arkle and Jane Gatenby.