GREEN fingered youngsters at Hampton Dene Primary School in Hereford are adding a splash of colour to their playground after Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP) answered a plea for help.

The budding young gardeners at the school in Church Road wanted to improve their all-weather play surface with large raised beds for each class to tend. But the school’s budget didn’t stretch to the plants.

Knowing how gardening in schools cannot just enrich the curriculum but also teach the children valuable life skills, class 5 teacher Miss Sam Lait issued a heartfelt plea for help.

BBLP, which manages highways and public spaces for Herefordshire Council, came to the rescue with boxes of summer flowering plants that will not only provide colour all through the rest of the summer term but attract wildlife, too.

“We are keen to support the local community and encourage the gardeners of the future,” said Balfour Beatty’s locality manager Dr Alasdair MacDonald. “The plants we have donated are good for butterflies and insects and will provide a colourful display.”