A CHARITY that helps people with learning disabilities acquire new skills through gardening is holding its open day on May 25.

The Jubilee Gardens Project in Purton Stoke teaches people with physical and leaning disabilities a wide range of life skills through horticultural activities. It encourages students, all of whom are from the Swindon area, to achieve greater independence through their work, as well as maintaining their literacy, numeracy and social skills.

But the project is highly dependent on gifts and donations from companies, societies and individuals, and its open day is traditionally one of its major sources of funding.

People attending the event, from 10am-3pm at Church Bush Hall, Cricklade Road, Purton Stoke, can buy bedding plants, fuchsias, geraniums, perennials, herbs, vegetable plants and much more.

to help raise money for the centre.

Students have already constructed a patio and barbecue area with an ornamental pond, and also grow organic plants and vegetables for sale on their own stall outside the project.