A group of unemployed Braintree young people have set themselves a green-fingered summer challenge -- to build a garden for the people who use the town's FirstStop centre.

The 12-strong team are all members of the Prince's Trust Volunteers, and have pledged to build a garden on neglected land at the Bocking End centre, which offers counselling and advice to disadvantaged people.

The group must now find the money and materials which will enable them to get to work.

Volunteer Kelly Randall, 17, said that the plans were already drawn up for the garden project, which should take the team -- all aged between 16 and 25 -- about three weeks.

They include a children's play area with sandpit, a water feature, a quiet sitting area, paths and flower beds, and access for disabled people.

"We all feel that young unemployed people are often seen as bad news," said Kelly. "We wanted to make some good news by doing something really positive for the community."

She said that the team chose to help FirstStop because they saw it as doing vital work in the community.

"So many people go there and, now that the summer is here, it would be good for them to have somewhere to sit outside," said Kelly.

Although the team has already won a "Green Grant" from B & Q, Kelly estimates that the volunteers still need to raise about £500 to complete the scheme.

Also needed are garden and woodworking tools, wheelbarrows, paint, turf, buckets and concrete.

The team will be fund-raising by holding a car wash at McDonald's restaurant on the Braintree bypass on July 1 and 2, from 11.30am to 4pm.

l If you can help the Prince's Trust Volunteers to build their garden, call them on 01376 324363, or FirstStop on 01376 346535.

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