SUNDERLAND City Council's social services department is entering a "thyme machine" made out of herbs in a flower show this weekend.

Bishopwearmouth Horticultural Nursery, run by the department and attended by adults with learning difficulties, has incorporated a car, clock face and other machinery made from flowers and time in its entry.

The creation will be on show at Gateshead Flower Show, which runs from Friday to Sunday.

In addition, staff from the day centre have helped three young people on work experience to create their own display, depicting fostering and adoption.

The youngsters, who are looked after by the authority, have created three turf figures representing a child and two carers in front of a house.

It will also incorporate quotes from adopted and fostered children and foster carers.

The Fostering and Adopting for Sunderland display is part of a campaign to recruit foster carers and adopters.

Representatives from the fostering service will be at the event to provide information for those interested.