PUPILS at one Shipley school have been getting their green fingers dirty in helping to build a community fruit and vegetable patch.

The Blooming Marvellous Horticultural Project is being run at High Crags Primary Leadership Academy in partnership with the HALE charity.

Pupils are making use of the patches and greenhouses at the school to grow fruit and veg to learn more about gardening, the environment, and how to grow and keep their own food.

Food grown at the school will be harvested and used in school meals to help High Crags become greener and more sustainable.

Helen Ray, principal at High Crags, said: “Gardening is a wonderful, relaxing activity with so many benefits.

"We hope that through the Blooming Marvellous Horticultural Project our pupils and the wider community will work together to improve their physical and mental well-being.

"As well as improving their confidence, our pupils are learning new life skills and being encouraged to take a close interest in the environment. They are enjoying trying new fruit and vegetables too.”

Joel Howard-Birt, from HALE, added: “Our pilot scheme clearly demonstrated an interest and desire from the children to get involved in these types of outdoor activities.

"The school was keen to work together with us to involve a much wider number of children in the development and use of the growing spaces.

"By increasing knowledge of where food comes from we are aiming to increase the children’s confidence in growing food and in trying new fruit and vegetables.”