GREEN-fingered teenagers are preparing to brighten up the gardens of elderly residents and school pupils as part of a national campaign.

Students at Darlington College are getting ready to dig in and help pupils and elderly residents improve their outdoor spaces as part of the Council for Voluntary Service’s (CVS) Make a Difference Day.

The 200 amateur gardeners, who are all studying health and social care and childcare, will be volunteering at schools and care homes across Darlington and North Yorkshire as part of the annual campaign, which encourages thousands of young people across the UK to take part in voluntary work.

Tracy Hawthorn, assistant director for health and social care and childcare at Darlington College, said: “Make a Difference Day is a big challenge for our students but also a chance for them to try something different, get hands-on with their local community and interact and develop their core skills with a range of people from four to 94.”

Home improvement store, Wickes, has given the students a helping hand by donating £250 worth of gardening equipment.