PC Martyn Norton, youth and schools liaison officer, invited future year seven pupils to Airedale High School during the holidays to brush up on their rugby skills and do some gardening.

The students, who have just finished at Oyster Park, Redhill and Airedale junior schools, cleared an area of the school which had become littered and overgrown and will plant flowers in future sessions.

PC Norton, who has just been appointed year seven RL coach at Airedale High School, said: “I wanted to do something with children over the school holidays so I invited some of the rugby players from the three pyramid schools down to the rugby field for training sessions, so when they start high school in September they will be a bit more settled.

“I thought it would be good to do something extra as well and and show members of the local community that young people do care very much about the area where they live.”

“The children loved the idea. Once they saw what was planned, their interest was fabulous. They helped come up with which flowers we’ll plant next time too.

“They’re also excited about the headmaster seeing what they have been doing when he comes back from the school holidays.”