A GARDENING project designed to get children and their parents working together has been launched by Stockton Borough Council.

The Coronation Garden will take shape over the coming months at The Norton School, Norton, with pupils and parents working on a design created by TV personality Simon Cross.

The plan is to create a garden from a wild area in the school grounds which can be used by the whole school on projects in the curriculum.

The creation of the garden is being funded by the Stockton Adult Education Service.

It aims to link key stage three pupils and their families with local employers.

Julie Mcgee, the council's family literacy and numeracy manager, said: "The scheme is designed to provide a family learning opportunity for the key stage three pupils and their families.

"It will enable them to become involved in something which is of interest to them both and provide a legacy for them and their community."

Judith Powell, the school's head of special educational needs, and Jenny Ellis, have been working with Simon in the design of the garden.

The pupils and their parents will be working on the garden on Friday afternoons.