STAFF from Nationwide swapped figures for gardening gloves when they helped in the makeover of a local family centre.

The North Swindon Family Centre was the focus of their team-building exercise and staff and parents are delighted with the results.

Nationwide staff member Justine Blythe said: "Our area manager told us to find a worthy project and we felt that we wanted to do something a bit different.

"This project was something for us to get our teeth into. It's a very nice cause."

The staff concentrated on weeding the garden, planting new shrubs and trees, painting benches and marking out brightly-coloured games on the ground.

They also managed to raise enough money for the centre to have its own playhouse.

Mrs Blythe said: "The reaction of the children when they saw the new garden was quite moving.

"The mothers were also very grateful, as we had made the centre a safer place for their children to be."

The project also brought the Nationwide team closer to one another and Mrs Blythe feels they work together better than ever.

She added: "It was a very worthwhile experience for us and for the children."

Donations for the garden came from a variety of sources, including fund managers Merrill Lynch and Morley which donated £200 each. A competition for staff to win a day off also raised a total of £320.