PUPILS at Rowdeford School, near Devizes, are learning about gardening from a top gardener.

David Marshall has begun work as the instructor gardener at the Victorian walled garden in the grounds of the school, which caters for children with special educational needs.

Mr Marshall, from Frome, previously worked for the Royal Horticultural Society maintaining and developing Lady Ann Palmer's garden near Torrington, in Devon.

The Rowdeford Charity Trust appointed Mr Marshall as part of its restoration project of the Victorian walled garden.

Mike Bowden, of the Rowdeford Charity Trust, said: "David has settled in well and as well as having a wealth of experience of gardening he has done a lot of work with people with special needs, particularly children.

"David's first job is the get the garden up and running but he has children and staff in the garden every day helping him, in fact they have been queuing up to work with him in the garden.

"The Year 11 children who leave at the end of term are particularly interested in working in the garden to gain some experience."

Mr Marshall, together with pupils, sold plants from the garden at a gardener's road show in Chippenham recently. The next plant sale will be on Saturday at Rowdeford School fete, from 2pm to 4.30pm in the grounds.

Mr Bawden said the money raised from the plant sales was being used towards paying Mr Marshall's salary.

An anonymous benefactor donated £10,000 for this year leaving the trust to find the shortfall of £6,000.

Plant sales will also be held at North Wiltshire Festival at Monkton Park, Chippenham, on July 16 and 17 and the Wiltshire Gardens Trust plant sale at Sheldon Manor, near Chippenham, on September 12.

Following the appointment of Mr Marshall, the garden will be used for training and the aim ultimately is to run work experience classes for children with disabilities from all over the south west.

The garden dates back to 1889 and was probably built by Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt, the owner of Rowdeford House, who was a leading architect and secretary to the 1851 Great Exhibition.