VOLUNTEERS and gardeners gathered together as environmental charity Westden held a volunteer afternoon.

The event was run by Maxim Laithwaite and Sue Fisher from Westden as part of the charity's ongoing project the Schools' Community Landscape Network (CLaN).

The project aims to help 15 schools across West Devon to develop their outdoor landscapes to embed into the curriculum, while working at community cohesion.

Work at Tavistock Community Primary School and Tavistock College is acting as a pilot for a funding application which will see the project delivered for three years.

The work carried out at Tavistock Primary saw an area that was originally out of bounds due to health and safety risks, made safe with the help of the volunteers. It is now ready for Westden to develop a modular setting for different projects to involve the whole school.

Sue Fisher from Westden said: 'I was inspired and impressed by the power of community in action, with parents, Tavistock College students, teachers and children all pitching in and working together with enormous enthusiasm.

'Gardening is such a wonderful activity to bring together people at every level, amply demonstrated by the number of questions of "When can we do this again?".

'Best of all, the children of Tavistock Primary now have a space where they can learn how to garden sustainably to benefit themselves and the environment.'

Tavistock College is also working closely with Westden to develop an area in conjunction with the newly formed Green Group.

Westden expressed thanks to the 17 volunteers who attended the event, especially the seven Tavistock College students who gave their time to help make the garden safe and accessible.

Westden is looking for volunteers to assist both in the office and on site with these projects. For more information contact Maxim Laithwaite on 01822 618715 or visit http://www.westden.org.uk">www.westden.org.uk