TOMATOES, lettuce, carrots, aubergines and hot chilli peppers can now thrive in a Gambia school's garden thanks to a donation from a Penarth shop.

The School Print Shop, a print supplier on Windsor Place, Penarth, provided a well and water pump to Upper Bakoteh school in the Gambia.

After a visit by Managing Director Dave Noble, the School Print Shop funded a large vegetable plot, tools, seeds and watering cans to allow pupils to learn how to cultivate vegetables.

Now, following a second visit, the School Print Shop has provided £900 for the school to install a well and water pump to ensure they are self-sufficient, saving the £200 per year it was costing buy water and irrigate the plot.

Dave Noble said: "The school has year groups split into morning and afternoon shifts because there are not enough classrooms to fit in over 2,000 pupils at once.

"Its classrooms are very basic, with no electricity and windows are just gaps in the walls.

"However, the pupils lift the spirit of anyone who is fortunate enough to meet them."

Alfusainey Sanyang, who is responsible for agriculture at the school said, “Students are very enthusiastic about partaking in the garden project and keeping up the agricultural spirit of the school.”

The School Print Shop donates one percent of all sales to school projects in Africa. They have linked up with the School Development Fund team at the Gambia Experience, to channel funds to Gambian Schools.