GREEN-fingered students have transformed an overgrown community garden in Lye into a colourful playground.

The City of Wolverhampton college youngsters, who are all on a 12 week Prince’s Trust self development programme, dug in to give the outdoor area at the KIDS Orchard Centre a makeover.

Over two weeks, the team of 12 made the garden area safe for young people with disabilities to use by repainting fences, fixing playground equipment, replacing a Wendy house and creating a sensory area.

They raised the £573.18 needed for the project by carrying out two bag packs at local supermarkets and organising a sponsored leg wax and bush tucker trial.

Team leader Lisa Blakeway said: “The team chose this project as it touched their hearts upon visiting. Many of the young people who use the centre live in high rise flats and had no access to outdoor space.

“It’s lovely to see a group of young people so enthusiastic to help those that are less fortunate than themselves, even though some of them have their own barriers to climb."

Jayne Crook, senior administrator at the centre, added: "The new garden area will be a wonderful addition to the Orchard Centre and will greatly enhance the centre’s facilities for the disabled young people and their families who will use it.

"We have been overwhelmed by the hard work and dedication put in by the young people from the Princes Trust."