YOUNGSTERS at a Poole school are thrilled with their new garden, which was officially opened at a special ceremony following a £5,000 National Lottery grant

Parents, teachers and pupils of Broadstone Middle School, Dunyeats Road, Poole, attended the open day - where they even sampled some of the produce grown on-site.

Teacher Lizzy Pike said: "The children have all worked on the garden, making the raised beds and moving three tonnes of soil.

"They've planted everything, weeded it, watered it, helped with the building and the painting of the benches. They've worked really hard."

The garden, which includes flowers, a vegetable patch, a shed and wildlife area, will be incorporated into lessons, with the green-fingered youngsters growing their own food.

Miss Pike explained: "We received a grant and we are still in the process of making the area. But we thought we'd do the opening while we had produce and things growing there, rather than leaving it until the Autumn.

"We run gardening Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday lunchtimes and Wednesday after school, which is attended by all year groups.

"For the opening we made our own salads with produce we had grown, including lettuce, radishes, carrots, rocket and herbs."

The children are also growing some wheat, which they will try to harvest and mill in September.

Miss Pike said: "We are hoping to produce some seating as well so people can go up there at lunchtimes and enjoy the garden and the wildlife up there as well."