STUDENTS at a college in the area will soon be eating vegetables they have grown themselves after getting a £2,000 grant to expand a sustainable garden.

An allotment was set up at Wilmington Enterprise College in Common Lane, Wilmington, 18 months ago.

Students have been growing their own onions, peppers, potatoes, sweetcorn and flowers.

BTEC horticultural studies students came up with the idea.

The sustainable garden is fed with collected rainwater.

But after a £2,000 grant from the specialist schools and academies trust's sustainable schools innovation grant, which encourages schools to develop sustainable schemes, the garden will now be expanded.

A fence is being knocked down and a polytunnel greenhouse being built so students can grow crops all year around.

The college plans to set up a stall to sell produce to farmers and businesses in the area as well as to staff and students.

The vegetables will also be used in the college canteen.

Horticultural studies teacher David Southwell said: “So far the garden has been a success and the kids from the course have really got involved in helping to make this garden special.

“We are looking forward to spending the money on expanding the garden and building the tunnel.”

Student Jack Davis, 16, said: “I think it’s a great idea. “I really enjoy working in the garden during college time.”

The college is set to receive the cash within the next month and start work on the extension in the next two months.