A team of youngsters have lent a helping hand to the community by renovating a church garden.

Eastern Daily Press: A team of 18 to 22-year-olds working with the Prince's Trust have renovated the garden of the Church of Nazarene on Croxton Road, Thetford.A team of 18 to 22-year-olds working with the Prince's Trust have renovated the garden of the Church of Nazarene on Croxton Road, Thetford. (Image: Archant)

The Prince's Trust Team 131 undertook a project to refurbish the garden at the Church of the Nazarene, in Thetford, as part of a training programme with the charity.

As part of a 12-week course designed to get them back into education or training, the 18- to 22-year-olds spent two weeks planning and fundraising for the garden's renovation then spent one week completing the work, which involved filling large planters, putting up trellis and building a 'bug hotel'.

They collected £600 towards the project by bag-packing at Tesco in Thetford, and were also given a donation of plants from Thetford Garden Centre.

The nine-strong team showed the completed garden to representatives from the church in Croxton Road at a handover ceremony and tea party on Thursday. It was attended by the Mayor of Thetford Terry Jermy and community champions from Tesco, who donated some snacks for the party.

Church secretary Jean Donnelly said: 'We are really pleased with what the team has done, and it is good to have something which is nature-friendly. I think they have done a really nice job – without asking they have done something that I would have liked to see, and that is really good.'

Mr Jermy said the team had done a 'fantastic job'.

'It is great that they have the opportunity to give something back while learning new skills at the same time, I think that is key.'

The Prince's Trust project is managed by the youth development team at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service.

Its team leader Louise Howes said Team 131 had chosen the Church of the Nazarene garden over two other projects.

'They liked this one because it had the most freedom and scope for design, and they liked the fact that it was open to the public – this was very much a community project.'