YOUNG “lottery winners” are celebrating after their school hit the jackpot.

St Brendan’s RC Primary School in Harwood has been awarded £7,741 of Lotto cash — and they are using the money to build a “learning garden”.

The project will allow youngsters at the school to find out more about gardening and the environment.

Teachers also hope residents in Harwood will be getting their hands dirty so the school can grow stronger links with the local community.

Deputy headteacher Patricia Partington said: “We were absolutely thrilled when we found out. We want our pupils to be able to explore the garden and be creative.

“We want to increase learning outside but this is more about getting our children to connect with the local community.”

The school already has a vegetable patch and a gardening club. The new “sensory garden” will be built in the New Year.

The garden will have a willow tree with a bench surrounding the tree.

It will be shared between the reception class and pre-school children but the whole of the school will be able to use the garden.

Mrs Partington said she hoped members of St Brendan’s RC Church would also be getting involved and helping the children learn about gardening.

Sensory gardens teach youngsters about different types of plants and stimulate all the senses.

They are designed to be bright and colourful, with plants children can touch, smell and in some cases taste.

steven.thompson @theboltonnews.co.uk