A RUNDOWN allotment has been given a makeover by members of a local daycare centre.

Six people who attend the Havelock Day Centre in Hartlepool have been working together to spruce up the allotment at Burn Valley.

It now boasts a greenhouse and shed, with the centre users - all of whom are disabled - growing vegetables and flowers on their individual plots.

Day centre user Billy Kelly said: "We have all got a great deal of satisfaction from re-vamping the allotment. A lot of the people involved were non-gardeners and it has been a whole new experience for them. We are now seeing the fruits of our hard work over the last few months."

Val Coates, Hartlepool Borough Council's day opportunities co-ordinator, said: "The project has presented a real challenge to some of our centre users and it has also been great therapy for them.

"Not long ago, the allotment was like a wilderness, but it is now thriving and giving our people a great deal of joy and satisfaction."