A PRE-SCHOOL playgroup aims to raise almost £5,000 to ensure everything in their newly-planned garden is rosy.

Harlow Hilltop Pre-School group, in Harrogate, has received £1,500 from North Yorkshire County Council towards creating a garden where children will be able to play safely.

The group has also raised £1,000 towards the £7,285 project with an auction of promises.

The group's meeting place in Harlow Avenue has a small front garden area which is unsuitable for children because it is on a busy road.

The planned garden would be enclosed at the back of the building.

It would include a small vegetable plot for growing potatoes, carrots, green beans and peas to teach children the skills needed to make the plants flourish.

The group is now preparing to meet the challenge of raising the rest of the cash to complete the project.

They also want other groups who use their Green Hut headquarters to share the benefits of the project.

The development is subject to approval from Harrogate Borough Council and officials of the community group which meet at the Green Hut.

Councillor Jim Clark, who represents Harlow on North Yorkshire County Council, said: "The Green Hut is effectively the village hall for the Harlow area and I am delighted the county council funding has been granted.

"This scheme will serve not only the pre-school group but all other users of the hall and will be a nice little area of greenery."