GREEN-FINGERED firefighters in Old Swan are helping local youngsters to grow a thriving vegetable patch at the fire station.

Pupils from local schools and children from local childminder groups visit the Queens Drive station to tend to the community garden and grow their own fruit and vegetables.

As well as learning about healthy foods, the children also take the chance to look around the fire station and jump aboard the fire engine.

Firefighter Craig Andrews said: “It's a great area for the children to learn and play.

“The firefighters interact with the kids, so it's a good opportunity for us to get across safety messages while they're at an early age, and they're always asking if they can go on the fire engine.”

The garden was developed to provide a safe and unique learning environment for young people. Gardening and seeing plants grow over time has been proven to lower stress and, for children, helps to teach them about the importance of fresh food and eating well.

Many nurseries and after-school clubs now have their own gardens where children can learn first-hand about plants and nutrition.

As well as learning about gardening and healthy eating, the children who use the fire station garden are finding out more about caring for the environment by recycling rainwater and garden waste.

Stoneycroft Childminders Group visit the station twice a month and have helped to develop the community garden after receiving a grant from Early Years to buy plants, seeds and garden equipment.

They worked closely with locality manager Kevin Johnson and watch manager Rowley Brown to set up an allotment area, and are now growing lettuces, beetroot and fruit bushes.

Childminder Clare Andrews said: “We haven't got an outdoor space to do something like this with, so it's great for us toŠ have the allotment on the fire station.”Š