YOUNG gardeners have joined a £8.3m national scheme to clean up their community.

The Greenwich Youth Inclusion Project, based in Briset Road, Eltham, is taking part in the Community Space Challenge.

It has been working alongside Greenwich Council and charity Age Concern to brighten up gardens and open spaces for people who can’t manage to do it themselves Over the next four-and-a-half years, this group and others across the country will be clearing and improving sites, including older people’s gardens, neglected woodland, forgotten patches of park, and old ponds.

The scheme is supported by local councils,and other groups.

Funding has been provided by the Big Lottery Fund, which distributes good causes money from the lottery.

Councillor Jackie Smith said: “This project is all about the young people. The majority of our young people in Greenwich are doing wonderful things and are shining examples to the community.”

For more details visit communityspacechallenge.org