YOUNG Christians in Swindon are taking part in three days of social action this weekend to help create a better environment for their community.

Planting new vegetable beds at Penhill's community orchard, revamping the community centre garden in Walcot and painting at Wind- mill Court old people's home in Freshbrook are just a few of the projects planned by Swindon Youth For Christ as part of the national event, The Noise.

Co-ordinator Hannah Frith said: "Last year more than 100 young people from Swindon, Highworth and Faringdon got involved.

"One elderly lady who could no longer do any gardening due to severe arthritis, said how grateful she was to the young people for the beautiful low maintenance garden they created for her."

Hannah explained that The Noise was about making a difference in communities across the country and attempting to dispel the myth that young people are all vandals or sit around doing nothing.

Youth for Christ, which has been running in Swindon for 50 years, was involved in setting up the Clivey Project and Head'z'up, which helps Swindon children at risk from school exclusion.