The entrance to Norwich Castle has been given a splash of floral colour thanks to students from Norwich City College.

Eastern Daily Press: Students with learning difficulties from City College help plant up 21 long troughs on Castle Bridge. Sarah Softley with students Kyle Cushing, Alex Fearne, Kieran Snelling, Josh Aldous, Ryan Chapman and David Lakey. Picture: Nick ButcherStudents with learning difficulties from City College help plant up 21 long troughs on Castle Bridge. Sarah Softley with students Kyle Cushing, Alex Fearne, Kieran Snelling, Josh Aldous, Ryan Chapman and David Lakey. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

The youngsters, who all have learning difficulties, have been working in conjunction with Norwich in Bloom and Norwich City Council as part of their horticulture course to re-plant 21 troughs along Castle Bridge.

The plants were all grown by the students at their City College campus and will be placed in a number of civic and community sites across the city in the coming weeks including St Stephens Church and The Assembly House.

Ian Harris, owner of Hockering Nursery and part of the Norwich in Bloom scheme, was there to lend a helping hand and said: 'The work these youngsters are doing is just fantastic.

'It really helps to make Norwich a more colourful city for the summer.'

Eastern Daily Press: Students with learning difficulties from City College help plant up 21 long troughs on Castle Bridge.Picture: Nick ButcherStudents with learning difficulties from City College help plant up 21 long troughs on Castle Bridge.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

Meanwhile getting out of the classroom is just as important for the youngsters' development, according to City College Norwich tutor Sarah Softley.

She said: 'The boys are learning vital work skills like turning up on time, being presentable and working with others. Hopefully at the end of the year they will be ready to move into a work environment or on to another course.'

Student Kyle Cushing, from Lingwood, already has aspirations for a career in horticulture. The 18-year-old said: 'I really hope to become a gardener when I finish at college, I really enjoy it and I want to make things look nice for the community.'

The students are also designing a garden which will be showcased at this year's Royal Norfolk Show.

Eastern Daily Press: Students with learning difficulties from City College help plant up 21 long troughs on Castle Bridge. Sarah Saftley with students Kyle Cushing, Alex Fearne, Kieran Snelling, Josh Aldous, Ryan Chapman and David Lakey.Picture: Nick ButcherStudents with learning difficulties from City College help plant up 21 long troughs on Castle Bridge. Sarah Saftley with students Kyle Cushing, Alex Fearne, Kieran Snelling, Josh Aldous, Ryan Chapman and David Lakey.Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2018)

'It's something we're all working hard on,' said John Attoe, tutor on the horticulture course.

He said: 'It's going to be a little bit like the Chelsea Flower Show for us. It's on a lot bigger scale than we're doing here, we'll have a shed as part of our design, the students are working hard on it.'

The green-fingered pupils are currently growing around 20,000 plants at their Ipswich Road base, which should mean a very bright and colourful future for the city.