A PENARTH nursery school is hoping to transform a former dumping ground into a community garden.

Bute Cottage Nursery was recently granted permission by the Vale Council to fence off a previously open space adjacent to the school, which had mainly been used for fly tipping and dog fouling, and transform it into a community garden open to the public.

Seven apple trees and three pear trees were planted in the land on Friday, May 2, thanks the to the community group Gwyrddio Penarth Greening and the support of local businesses.

The orchard will still be open to the public and will also be used to teach children about science and the environment.

The school also plans on creating a log circle, children’s play area, flower beds and wildlife garden in the future.

Penarth Town Mayor Cllr Neil Thomas was joined by representatives of several local businesses that had sponsored the trees, including Toni Horne from Lily Pad Flower School, at the planting ceremony.

During a short speech he said that the children should look forward to watching the trees grow and enjoy having their own community garden.

Mrs Jo Bryan, head teacher of the nursery school, said that they had big plans for the land.

"We are working with GPG and other community groups to develop the land for anyone to use,” she said.

"It's the first step in a long journey.

"I'm delighted that so many of the community have taken the school to heart and wanted to get involved."

She added that the community garden would also boost the children’s learning environment.

“We will use it as a learning area to enhance the children’s understanding of science, biology and the natural world,” she said.

“We are hoping that everyone can get on board and enjoy it as much as we do.”

Anthony Slaughter, chairman of GPG, said that the group had been looking at launching a community garden for a number of years.

He added that all ten of the trees were native Welsh fruit trees, including Bardsey, BrithMayr, Cissy, Machen, Pig yr Wydd, Pren Glas and St Cecillia apple trees, with Jagonelle, Josephine des Malines and Winter Nellis pear trees.