COMPETITION for The Press’s Community Pride Awards is growing, after two more entries sprouted their way into our mailbox.

By successfully transforming an old, disused piece of land into a beautiful garden, Year 6 pupils at Westfield Primary Community School have earned themselves a nomination for Best Primary School Project.

Teacher James McGann described how the youngsters “shed blood, sweat and literally tears” to spruce up the “drab and dreary” part of the school.

He said: “The once unused area of the school is now a colourful, cultivated and cheerful spot where children can enjoy their lessons and lunch outside.”

Mr McGann said pupils had also created a vegetable plot and were now enjoying the fruits of their labour, eating fresh peas, lettuce, radish and courgettes from the garden.

He said they had put the finishing touches to the outdoor space by painting the ageing walls with their own artwork.

Meanwhile, Fishergate ward councillor Andy D’Agorne has nominated the Friends Of New Walk for the Best Community Project gong – a category sponsored by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

The group of volunteers dedicate their spare time to looking after the riverside promenade that runs beside the River Ouse, from Tower Gardens to Millennium Bridge.

In particular, Coun D’Agorne praised the group for helping local schoolchildren to plant a wildflower area near Millennium Bridge. Less than a week remains to enter our Community Pride Awards, which we are running in conjunction with City of York Council and Benenden Healthcare Society.

Fill in the entry form that accompanies this article and return it by Friday with a supporting statement.