Children from Tavernspite Playgroup will now be able to keep their fingers green following the opening of their new garden area.

The occasion was officially marked with a garden party yesterday (Thursday) where County Councillor Huw George, cabinet member for children, young people, learning and the Welsh language, was on hand to cut the ribbon.

With hard work from parents and others in the community starting in April to transform the garden area by putting in raised beds, herb beds, hanging baskets and a trellis, unfortunately a number of acts of vandalism have taken place in the garden before its opening, with damage caused to parts and various plants pulled up.

"We've brought along one of the local PCSO's today to see how we can tackle this problem which seems to occur during the holidays mostly. Hopefully it won't happen any further as everyone has worked so hard to complete this project for the children," said Tavernspite Playgroup's chairperson Roxanne Treacy.

Clr. George hoped that a scheme where some of the local schoolchildren could help to monitor the garden and check that it was maintained could be looked at.

"The children could act as village sheriffs and pop into the playgroup's garden area to check two or three times, say over the weekend, and mark down that everything is fine," he explained.

The Playgroup wish to thank Tavernspite Garden Centre for kindly donating to various items for the project and also a special thanks to Darren, Richard, Paul, Malcolm, Gareth and Martin for their help in creating the garden.