THE garden of a sheltered housing scheme has had a spruce up thanks to the efforts of a group of young people.

The communal garden of Rochester Court in Thornaby is being transformed thanks to volunteers from the Five Lamps Thornaby Youth Club and the local policing team.

Youngsters between the ages of 11 and 18 will work over two days to re-varnish trellises and fences, cut shrubs and weeds, plant a variety of plans, and clear away debris.

The project was co-ordinated by police community support officer Ben Millington who approached the youth club to see if the youngsters would like to help improve the garden.

PCSO Ben Millington said: “Often there is a divide between the older and younger generations and a general misunderstanding of one another.

"This project not only sees young people putting their efforts and time back into local community, but will help them to engage and get to know one another.”

Sheltered housing assistant, Janice Arrowsmith, said: “The residents are absolutely over the moon, especially as the young people are taking an interest in what they like doing and seeing. It gives them something to look forward to and they may even get involved in the work themselves.”

The teenagers taking part are from the two groups, one involving a faith youth group that meets on a Sunday, and a group of boys from the wider Thornaby area that meet on a Monday night.

Senior youth worker Darren Iveson, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for the youngsters and not only will they be engaging and interacting with older people, but they will be integrating with those from the other Youth Club groups.”