A clean-up group led by teacher Julie McCready yesterday began transforming the green space at the back of Selby Abbey Primary School.

She said using woodchips, seats and a log bench donated by Selby gardener Marcus Taperell, the volunteers would clear and upgrade the nature zone.

Julie added: “The garden is in an appalling state but we aim to make it a pleasant green area for the pupils.

“We have a great team helping us, including ten volunteers from the air core section of the army base at Dishforth. There will also be classroom assistants and early years foundation team leaders.

“Additional things we have for the garden include huge tyres filled with soil and planters, bric-a-brac and other items to create a wind chime area. There’s an interactive wildlife garden, using huge builder’s bags filled with soil.

“We’re moving to a new school in 2010 and we aim to make everything portable so we can take it with us. Local businesses have been great in helping us, and if anyone wants to help further, they can contact me at the school.”

Julie can be contacted on 01757 703817 during term time.