TWO months ago, unemployed father-of-one Darren Elrick was wondering how he would help support his family.

Now he is looking at a greener future after landing a job as a gardener, thanks to a New Deal scheme.

Since he began working at Holt Castle, near his home in Stourport-on-Severn, his career prospects have blossomed.

"It's brilliant - it's the sort of thing I'd wanted to do when I left school but couldn't," said the 26-year-old, who left Harry Cheshire High School aged 16 with few qualifications and has worked at a variety of jobs, including builder's merchant and warehouseman.

Under the New Deal scheme, he spent six months learning how to operate a chainsaw and other garden equipment with the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers in Worcester.

Darren, of Broomy Close, Stourport-on-Severn, had gained an NVQ1 in gardening at a college in Oxford, but was unable to find work.

After approaching a New Deal 25+ personal advisor, he found work at the Castle and benefited from a £200 jobseeker's grant to make his bike roadworthy for the 14-mile round trip.

"I already had the qualifications, but not the experience, so the New Deal was a good idea, because they helped me get the experience and I was laughing from there."

Since beginning his job at Holt Castle, Darren now looks after the garden two days per week while the head gardener is on business elsewhere, and runs the bar for functions.

Personal adviser Joyce Mathieson, of Stourport JobCentre, said the New Deal scheme - part of the Government's Welfare to Work programme for the long-term jobless - had helped Darren find a permanent job doing work he enjoyed.

"Darren's employer is also delighted with his progress," she said.

"His gardening has added colour to the castle's grounds and he's made himself indispensable by running the bar whenever a function is held."