A VANDALISED garden at a York primary school has blossomed into an idyllic outside space for students to enjoy, thanks to a group of volunteers.

The peace garden at English Martyrs RC School in Acomb was destroyed by vandals, who left the garden students unable to use the area.

But a group of pupils formed the Garden Club, working together to bring life back into the garden for the school to enjoy and it has now been reopened.

Features of the new garden include raised beds and vegetable plots to encourage student’s appreciation of local produce, and a restored peace garden.

Head teacher Derek Sutherland thanked the students and also Rotary Club members who gave a £1,000 grant to assist with the transformation.

Mr Sutherland said: “The school is even growing asparagus. I don’t know where students have got their sophisticated tastes from.”

Meanwhile, York Central MP Hugh Bayley has visited the site where the new Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Primary School will open following the merger of English Martyrs and Our Lady’s RC Primary School.

The school, in Hamilton Drive, Holgate, will cater for 420 pupils who currently attend the two schools, while there will also be a 52-place nursery. It will have community facilities including a football pitch, performance space and a library, with the Our Lady’s site in Acomb being sold to help finance the project.

Mr Bayley said: “York has some fantastic schools and this will create a new, state-of-the-art school which is fit for the 21st century.

“It has created much-needed construction jobs as well as jobs in the school for local people. It is a valuable resource for the whole community and I look forward to visiting again when the work is complete.”

Among other state-of-the-art facilities being intsalled at the site, Mr Bayley was able to inspect a new under-floor heating system.

Mr Sutherland said pupils were taking part in transition activities to get to know each other.

The steel structure, roof and external walls have now been built at the site, with the windows and internal walls currently being fitted by York firm Shepherd Construction. The new school is expected to open next January.