Primary schoolchildren are reaping the rewards of their first harvest from a new allotment.

A community allotment was established by Groundwork East Durham on land next to Ferryhill Station Primary School earlier this year.

A plot was set aside for the school, but expectations of a bumper harvest were low because of the previous poor quality of the soil.

However, thanks to some tender loving care from the youngsters, the first crop from the patch has yielded some surprising results.

Headteacher Val Jago said: "We are just amazed by what was grown and the size of the produce.

"It's a new allotment which was made out of really rough land and we were not sure if anything would grow there at all to be honest."

Among the vegetables grown by the youngsters are potatoes, carrots, onions, runner beans, tomatoes, pumpkins and leeks.

Mrs Jago said the children have really enjoyed tending their new garden, adding: "Each week, the kids have been in the gardening and looking after their vegetables.

"They were just so pleased they've grown something, could take it home and eat it."