YOUNG gardeners in schools are being supported in their outdoor endeavours by Inverclyde Shed.

Bruce Newlands and the team at the Shed have linked up with 12 schools across the area to develop 'small growing spaces'.

The gardens are being created with help from some of a £5,000 grant Shed received through the Co-op Community Fund.

To get the gardens up and running, Bruce and the team are giving schools hollowed-out whisky barrels to serve as vegetable planters.

They're also supplying compost, bean canes and fruit trees to schools.

They will also be on hand to provide teachers and pupils with help and advice on what to plant throughout the year.

Shed chairman Bruce and the team have already completed a pilot project at Ardgowan Primary and growing spaces are up and running at St Joseph's and Whinhill.

Another nine places across Inverclyde will follow - Port Glasgow High, Craigmarloch, Gourock Primary, Wemyss Bay Nursery, Inverkip Primary, St John's Primary, St Francis' Nursery, St Andrew's Primary and St Michael's Primary.

Bruce says small growing spaces will give the schools a good starting point for growing fruit and veg.

He said: "This gives the schools a starter for 10 and allows them to expand if they want to.

"The barrels are very flexible and low maintenance.

"They're lightweight and easy to move about.

"It's a great project for us to get involved in.

"Gardening is all about trial and error and learning as you go along."

From March, Bruce and the team are planning to send out advice to the schools about what they should be propagating and planting.

Pupils in P5/6 at Whinhill recently completed an outdoor learning project called 'My School, My Planet' which encouraged them to re-engage with the environment.

Class teacher Barry Dyer says that the project inspired young people to find out even more about the great outdoors.

He added: "The growing space will ultimately be the responsibility of the young people.

"It's great that Bruce and the team are going to continue to provide us with tips on how to look after the trees and on what else can be done in the garden.

"As a teacher, I've really seen the benefits of outdoor learning.

"It helps the health and wellbeing of our children and young people."

BARREL OF LAUGHS - Ellie Jardine and Nicholas Robertson, both 10, have a look at the growing space along with Bruce Newlands of Inverclyde Shed and Whinhill Primary teacher Barry Dyer.