KEEN young gardeners at 1ST Astwood Bank Beaver Scout Colony proved their worth when they were chosen as runners-up in a West Midlands gardening competition.

The youngsters have been celebrating their success in the Greenfingers Challenge Youth Group 2003, which saw them receive a £100 cheque for their efforts.

The challenge was to transform a piece of land into a garden for all to enjoy while charting their progress along the way.

Eighteen Beaver Scouts took part in the various activities, which also developed their appreciation of the natural world and awareness of environmental issues in relation to the garden.

They visited the Arrow Valley Countryside Centre to learn about composting and wildlife and also Botany Bay Nursery in Astwood Bank to see how cuttings are taken and looked after and then did some for their own potting.

The competition was organised by charity Environmental Campaigns (ENCAMS) and the Royal Horticultural Society.