BANK managers are finding their green fingers in a bid to help East Lancashire schools.

A hundred Barclays staff have volunteered to carry out gardening projects at eight Blackburn with Darwen schools.

The Groundforce-style make-overs have been arranged as part of an Employee Volunteering Group programme supported by Barclays.

The bankers were taking to the trails today with plans to create nature trails, woodland gardens and 'mini beast' bug gardens.

Margaret Ellison, activity organiser from Barclays said: "We are delighted to be able to make a difference in the community.

"Everybody wins from a project like this, the team have fun and we achieve something to be proud of."

Coun Mahfooz Hussain, executive member for education and lifelong learning, thanked the Barclays staff for giving up their time to benefit local children.

"It's wonderful that they are prepared to turn out in cold weather to do this work and I'm sure the schools will be delighted," he said.

The schools taking part are Kelsall Avenue Nursery, St Joseph's RC Primary, St James' Primary, Sunnyhurst Centre, Lammack Primary, Witton Park High School, St Luke & St Phillip's CE Primary, and St Cuthbert's CE Primary.