Crime fighting garden project bears fruit for Thorpe St Andrew school pupils

Pupils at a school on the outskirts of Norwich have transformed an area of wasteland into a thriving allotment as part of a bid to prove that not all teenagers are anti-social louts.

Year-10 students at Thorpe St Andrew High School have spent the past few months designing and building an allotment at the back of the village hall on Yarmouth Road. The group, who are studying for a BTEC in work skills, have worked closely with the Thorpe St Andrew safer neighbourhood team. The aim of the project is to give the youngsters a sense of ownership and divert them from anti-social pursuits.

Produce grown on the allotment will be used to prepare meals for elderly people living in the area.

And the scheme, which started back in September, is already bearing fruit in more ways than one after it helped the teenagers win the Young Citizens of the Year category at the Norfolk Safer Community Awards.

Rachel Clarke, teacher and project leader, was delighted with the award and proud of her pupils.

She said: 'It actually shows kids can do something good and they're not all anti-social.'

Daniel Hague, 15, said: 'It felt really good that there's an opportunity to do something for others rather than stay at home.'

Jake Hyde-Clarke, 15, said: 'We're really pleased to have won – it was great. Helping out is one of the greatest rewards.'