A Carlisle school has thanked a major local company for their help in completing their new gardening project.

North Carlisle school James Rennie worked with Carlisle company Story Homes to build a new flower and vegetable garden on their site.

James Rennie, a school for people aged three to 19 with severe or profound learning needs in north Cumbria, now has its own space to help teach practical labouring and produce-growing skills.

Story Homes donated the topsoil needed for the new garden space, while volunteers from its sister company Story Contracting helped with the building and donated materials from the nearby Aspen Grange development, off Kingstown Road.

DIY supplies firm Screwfix also donated funds to help cover the costs of the project.

Kris Williams, James Rennie School's headteacher said the project required nearly eight tonnes of topsoil to complete.

“Pupils at James Rennie School – a school for pupils with severe and profound learning needs – have designed and built accessible planters that all of our pupils can grow flowers and vegetables in.

"When it came to completing the project we needed topsoil and gravel and Story Homes stepped up to help with labour and materials.

"Over a morning they worked with our pupils to shift nearly eight tonnes of material and help us complete a wonderful project.”

John Story, managing director for Story Homes in Cumbria and Scotland said the company was happy to help make the gardening project a reality.

“James Rennie school is located just half a mile from our Aspen Grange development, and so when the request came in for materials to help complete the students’ garden project, we really wanted to help.

“Supporting the local communities in the areas that we build is really important to us and as a responsible builder, we always try to do what we can to help.

"The students and Story team had a great time completing the project and we hope that the pupils enjoy using their new garden.”