Schoolchildren from Otterton are catching the gardening bug from horticulture students from Bicton College.

AN allotment has been given to Otterton Primary School by Clinton Devon Estates for pupils to grow their own vegetables.

The overgrown plot, covered in weeds and grass, meant the youngsters were faced with tackling heavy digging.

So they called on the college to see if it could help prepare the ground, ready for sowing and planting.

Teacher Lucy Archer said: “The children are so enthusiastic about the allotment and love getting involved, but it’s really disheartening for them when there’s so much heavy work that needs doing.

“It stops them from being able to do the sowing and planting, which is the main reason we wanted to get them involved in working on an allotment.

“It has been wonderful to have the help and support of the Bicton students as it is allowing us to focus on the growing and learning side of things!”

Bicton College horticulture tutor Rupert Bannister said: “We are pleased to be involved with the local community and helping the school with this heavy clearing work was a useful activity for our students.

“It’s great to get school children interested in gardening at this age, they may become our students of the future.”

He said the college was also working on projects with schools in Axminster and Exmouth.