Richard Dunne helps out in school garden

Pupils at a school in Wythenshawe got a special treat when Manchester City captain and Republic of Ireland international Richard Dunne popped in to help their gardening club plant a few trees.

Dunne was participating in the Premier Leagues Creating Chances project in conjunction with his clubs City in the Community program, according to the Manchester Evening News.

He helped Newall Green Primary pupils plant apple trees before encouraging the kids to continue gardening.

"We grow vegetables at home and I have seen the enjoyment my little girl gets out of it. I just hope it is the same for these youngsters," he told the local newspaper.

"There is so much that children can learn from being in the garden.

"It is too easy to pop into the supermarket when, for infinitely more satisfaction and much less cost, you can have your own veg patch. "

Gardeners can introduce children to the greenhouse and garden from a young age and growing your own fruit and vegetables is a great way to give them a tangible incentive to continue with the good habits they learn.