YOUNGSTERS at a Hartlepool school have been working hard, helping to design a community garden.

Pupils at Springwell School each drew up a plan for a young people's section within a community garden to be developed on an allotment site in the Dyke House area of the town.

They were challenged to come up with their ideas as part of a Community Awareness Awards Scheme run by Housing Hartlepool in association with Hartlepool Borough Council among others.

A presentation ceremony was held at the school yesterday when eight individual class winners each received a trophy, another youngster received the Housing Hartlepool Individual Achievement Award and the school also received a trophy in recognition of its pupils' collective efforts.

Three other schools in the area, Dyke House, Brougham Primary and Jesmond Road Primary, are also involved in similar design competitions, and their awards will be presented on dates still to be decided.

Three entries from each school will then go forward to compete for the Communities Acting Together Shield for Outstanding Achievement.

Eddie Price, resident participation officer with Housing Hartlepool, said: "The work was absolutely outstanding and it was clear all of the pupils had put a lot of hard work into producing their designs.

"It is important we engage young people now because they will be the foundations of our communities in the future."

Tracey Berry, acting headteacher at Springwell School, said: "Every child in the school produced a garden design and I'm really proud of the hard work they put in.

"It is wonderful that nine children have won a trophy and we are pleased to have taken part.