PUPILS at a Newport nursery enjoyed a garden party with staff and special guests, pictured, to celebrate their new 'outdoor classroom'.

Over the last year, the nursery garden at Gaer Infants School has gradually taken shape.

"We started off with the sketch plans of our landscape architect, Julie Hutton-Attenborough, for the development of our garden to make an outdoor classroom," explained assistant head and nursery teacher Linda Davidge-Smith.

"Leading from that we developed links with the local youth club and community project network, and they very kindly came and built a fence around the vegetable garden."

Youngsters at the nursery grew their vegetables from seed and were helped by two local gardening enthusiasts, Bert and Fred.

Mrs Davidge-Smith said they had also been fortunate to get help from Advanced Elastomer Systems, who sponsored their shipping-themed decking which was built by parent Simon Reed and his father.

She also thanked Terry Howell for giving a discount on materials they needed.

"We decided then to mark all the hard work with a garden party and opening."

Among the guests were Newport's mayor, Councillor Ray Truman, cabinet member for young people's services Councillor John Pembridge and primary school advisers.

Sponsorship was given by Coca-Cola, who provided the drinks.