FIVE green-fingered college students from York are set to start a major gardening project.

Nothing too unusual there.

But the Askham Bryan College students will not be working in the parks and gardens across York.

Instead, they are due to fly out to Italy later this week where they will spend five days working in the grounds of a stately home - the size of Castle Howard.

Tutor Nigel Harrison said: "This trip will be hugely beneficial for the work the students are doing at the college.

"Working in the grounds of a stately home this size would be great for them anyway, but to do it in a different country where a different approach may be needed will be very good for them.

"Not surprisingly everyone is looking forward to it."

Updated: 11:23 Wednesday, August 22, 2001