CHILDREN have been growing fruit and vegetables at their school after as part of an environmental scheme.

Bannockburn primary school in Plumstead High Street has been chosen to join the Planting in the Playground project.

The project has been set up by two charities, the London Children’s Flower Society (LCFS) and the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association, to help schools which need support and funding to increase their gardening activities.

Head teacher of the school Rob Carpenter said that so far the children have grown courgettes, tomatoes and beans which the youngsters can take home after they have grown.

They have also been planting insect-friendly plants around the playground, encouraging caterpillars and butterflies which the pupils have been studying.

Mr Carpenter said: “For many of our children, they’ll not know that actually courgettes are plants that grow from the ground or tomatoes grow on plants - they only see the end product.

“By having a chance to grow them and see them change they’ll be more interested in food and more interested in growing.

“The health benefits are lifelong.”

The project has also chosen nine other schools across London.

Schools in the project are given starter plants of leeks, strawberries and courgettes, 60 bags of soil, onion sets, gardening books, a wooden bed and a £50 cheque.

A spokesman for LCFS said: “The schools have all shown great enthusiasm for the project and the aim is to give the children an opportunity to grow something they can eat.

“Children love to get their hands dirty and growing any type of plant can teach children patience and give them a feeling of achievement.”