Nick Smith MP has celebrated green-fingered growth after a visit to a horticultural hotbed.

Green Shoots, a project run by Blaenau Gwent Social Services, has provided individuals with learning disabilities and mental health issues work for the past three years.

Now enjoying external contracts for summer/winter bedding plants and troughs, Green Shoots was instrumental in the flower displays across the borough for the Queen’s Baton last month.

Mr Smith went along to the Bryn Bach Park site to meet some of the Green Shoots team and see the good work they are undertaking.

He said: “Schemes such as Green Shoots are fantastic ways to benefit the community by keeping local work local.

“The fact volunteers can obtain a qualification through the scheme as well is great for future prospects.

“We have some of the best countryside going, so it’s only fitting for a project such as this to keep the borough green.”

The team are currently making hanging baskets to fulfil the orders they have received due to the good feedback they have had in the last three years, alongside re-planting troughs across the borough.

Volunteers can achieve the Welsh Agored OCN level 1 as part of the project. They also work closely with the grounds men at Bryn Bach Park to help manage the local forestry.