BUDDING young gardeners have helped Newton Heath come third in a national flower competition.

More than 50 students aged four to 18 helped community groups gain a bronze award for the borough at the Britain in Bloom show - a horticultural event that rewards urban regeneration.

As part of the Eco Youth Group, the youngsters meet once a month to plant and tend flowerbeds.

They also make wheelbarrows and baskets from recycled wood and give them to charity.

Marlene Garnett, 55, organiser of the group said: "We started in 2002 with just seven kids.

"Manchester City Council offered us a grant of £945 to plant 21 flowerbeds and tend three large greens.

"It just grew from there and now we do litter-picking as well and we help out other areas that are stuck."

The third prize in the national awards comes after the borough won Manchester in Bloom in 2003.