A £7,000 windfall is on its way to a community garden in Northwich town centre.

The Grozone project, near Vickersway Park, has been given £7,157 by the Cheshire Community Foundation to get more young people involved.

Jane Staley, executive director of Groundwork Cheshire, which organises the project, said: “Groundwork is all about changing places and changing lives and this project will truly change the lives of some of the most hard to reach young people.”

The Grozone site has been transformed from an old vandalised plant nursery into a thriving green oasis, thanks to the work of more than 200 volunteers.

It now boasts a wooded and planted area with beehives, fire pit, bog, nature walks, sculptures and vegetable patches.

Andy Martin, Grozone project manager, said: “Grozone is a fantastic project that hopes to involve all sectors of the local community.

“The money will enable us to work with a group of disengaged young people and provide them with an exciting programme of social and practical skills that will improve their attitudes, behaviour, skills and employability.”

The group will now recruit young people and arm them with new skills to help them get a job or further education.

It will use the funding to help young people with physical and learning disabilities and those with mental ill-health.

Helen O'Donnell, chief executive of Cheshire Community Foundation, said: “Grozone is a fantastic project which has attrracted fantastic support from volunteers and we're impressed by how it now plans to help young people in the area.”