The UNIT invited students, staff and representatives from the Lottery's Local Food programme - which funded the garden - to see how work has progressed.

Special Needs Teacher Nikki Clark said: "Our students have embraced their 'outdoor classroom' and enjoy growing fruit, vegetables and caring for our chickens. 

"Hopefully with the introduction of more crops and as our garden gets more established this interest will grow this year."

Among the visitors were Brooke Weston Partnership's Executive Principle Peter Simpson and

Fritz de Zutter, a horticulture lecturer from Moulton College who has offered his expertise to the UNIT.

Chris Firth, the regional co-ordinator for Local Food, was also there and he said: "I was impressed with the facilities which have been established as part of the kitchen garden and with the obvious enthusiasm of the students.  The chickens are the star performers and will enable CBA to maintain this interest in the garden."

The next open evening is on Tuesday, July 19^th from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.