Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre at Monkton Heathfield near Bridgwater has donated some bags of spuds to the school for its fruit and vegetable growing initiative.

Norma Moore, General Manager of the award-winning garden centre, explained: “The seed potatoes are mostly main crop varieties and it’s still alright, especially as the season is quite late due to the weather, to plant them in early June.

“Back in May we invited anyone who felt that their school deserved the seed potatoes to get in touch. We had a limited number of spuds and allocated them on a first come, first served basis.”

The school has already planted an apple tree with the help of the Somerset Waste Action Programme team, which has advised the teachers and pupils on how to reduce waste and re-use and recycle resources.

East Brent First School’s Headteacher, Nikki Elsom, said: “From this activity we have some compost left over and would like to grow potatoes in it to show the children how easy it is to grow their own vegetables.

“We’re delighted to have received this donation of seed potatoes from Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre and are keen to get growing them.”

The garden centre gave away bags of around 50 potatoes containing one variety only to the first schools, which included East Brent First School, which got in touch after it launched the giveaway in May.

To find out more, please visit Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre, which is located just off the A38 at Monkton Heathfield near Bridgwater, or call 01823 412381.

Photo caption: (Back row) East Brent First School’s Headteacher, Nikki Elsom and Tom Berry from Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre’s Grow Your Own Special Team. (Front row, from left to right) Charlotte Jones, aged seven, Isabel Warren, aged nine, and Luc Richards, aged eight.