A VANDALISED patch of land at a Worcester special school is to be given a make-over by volunteers.

Staff from the Hallow-based software firm Postcode Anywhere will be getting their hands dirty over the next few weeks to renovate the area.

Manor Park School in Turnpike Close, St John's, has a horticultural study area that includes a polytunnel, nature garden and pond area.

However, this has been blighted by misfortune. Over the last few months, it has suffered a spate of costly petty vandalism and the school hasn't had the resources to restore the area.

So staff at the company decided to come to the school's rescue. They will be renovating the area from the beginning of this month, and giving up their free time to landscape the garden and totally transform the land.

Postcode Anywhere's man-aging director Guy Mucklow got the idea for the project when one of his employees attended a global conference in San Francisco, USA.

Mr Mucklow said: "We've often thought about doing something for the community and we've also toyed with the idea of a team-building exercise, so it makes sense to combine the two.

"The project at Manor Park School will be a challenge, particularly with the time constraints placed on us, as it's crucial we complete the project in time for the sixth form students' end of year celebration in July."

Postcode Anywhere's technical director Jamie Turner has designed the layout for the new refurbishments.

The scheme will include hard and soft landscaping, a pond and water feature, an ornamental foot bridge and a sensory garden.

Head of Manor Park's sixth form Richard Bird said: "We're thrilled by Guy and his team's offer to help us."