SCHOOL children are planting the seeds of success in the borough's first community greenhouse.

The project brings together youngsters, Whitefield Horticultural Society and Bury Council and will grow plants to show standard for the WHS and to be entered in the 2004 Tatton Royal Horticultural Show.

Tatton is the biggest competition in the north west. Bury's entry this year, its first, was the only joint community and council entry and the display won a bronze medal.

The greenhouse is located at St Michael's RC Primary School in Whitefield and was officially opened by the Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, Councillor Wilf Davison and his wife, Maureen. Funded by the council and UnLtd, it is the brainchild of WHS secretary John Middleton, who was instrumental in producing the award-winning Tatton display.

Mr Middleton said the greenhouse was about more than just wining prizes. "The project is about sharing our expertise and encouraging the next generation of gardeners," he said. "The children's efforts will improve the school grounds as well as producing plants for Tatton."

Councillor Alan Matthews, chairman of Whitefield and Unsworth Area Board, congratulated the WHS for its initiative.

"This is a unique project and will help the children develop new skills as well as benefiting the school and the wider community and sharing in the excitement of preparing for Tatton,"

he said.