Schools given £500 towards new garden or greenhouse

Following the launch of the partnership between the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and a celebrity to promote gardening in schools, the first awards under the scheme have been issued.

The Alan Titchmarsh Garden for Schools Award of £500 was given to 31 educational facilities looking to create a greenhouse or outdoor space.

Each of the winners will use the cash to provide an area for their pupils to learn important growing skills.

The scheme is paired with the RHS Campaign for School Gardening.

Head of education for the organisation Ruth Taylor said both programmes are "committed to getting all school children gardening [and have] seen real benefits of involving children in learning the practical skills of growing plants and learning outdoors".

Titchmarsh is famed for his role in various horticulture-based TV and radio shows and now hosts his own chat and lifestyle programme, which airs weekdays at 15:00 BST on ITV.