IT has grown into a great success and the trustees, funders and staff of the Garden Science Trust came together to thank the volunteers who have helped make it happen.

IT has grown into a great success and the trustees, funders and staff of the Garden Science Trust came together to thank the volunteers who have helped make it happen.

The Trust, based at the EcoTech Centre in Swaffham, is a small educational charity which works with people with learning difficulties by using gardening and science.

It depends on a team of unpaid helpers to run and Garden Science Trust director Sheila Mathias said Volunteers Week' was an ideal time to recognise the vital contribution the helpers made.

She said: 'Our volunteers help out in numerous ways. Some help to maintain and improve the organic demonstration garden, some help in the office and with fundraising, others help support less able volunteers in the garden or classroom so our activities can be open to all.

'During the past year over 30 volunteers have helped out in one way or another and we have achieved an enormous amount together.

'The highlight has to be re-covering one of the polytunnels in the garden, but we have also grown a huge range of vegetables, started a new wild flower area, built raised beds and made a small container garden.

'For me it is wonderful to see volunteers with and without learning difficulties gaining confidence and satisfaction as well as practical skills and experience.'

All volunteers were presented with a Volunteers' Week certificate and a special edition trust newsletter.