GARDENING was the lesson of the day for green fingered children from two Cirencester schools who rolled up their sleeves to plant wild flowers in their local area.

Year 6 pupils from Chesterton Primary School and Powell’s Primary School put on their wellies and grabbed a trowel as they sowed sunflower seeds in Four Acre field, close to Cirencester Hospital on Thursday, March 27.

The youngsters, who were out to mark NHS Sustainability Day, were also given the opportunity to make and decorate their own plant pots.

Chesterton teacher Sue Dearsley told the Standard that it was great for the children to get active in their local community.

“Four Acre field is really local to us, so many of our pupils play on it and a lot use it as a shortcut to get to school. It is their home turf,” she said.

“We learn about plants during our science lessons so it is lovely to be able to bring the children outside and see them having such a good time.”

NHS Sustainability Day is a nationwide event which challenges local trusts to think about how to reduce carbon emissions and support a greener healthcare system.

Georgina Smith, of Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust, said it was important to promote healthy living throughout the hospital.

“We encourage all our staff to play their part – whether it’s turning off computers, monitors and lights or walking or cycling to work,” she said.

Since 2010, more than 700 trees have been planted in the woodland around Cirencester Hospital.

The hospital regularly holds ‘apple days’ where schoolchildren can press apple juice and make smoothies with a bicycle-powered blender.

For more information, visit www.glos-care.nhs.uk.