SHIPYARD apprentices spent two days digging weeds at a community garden while grateful youngsters sang songs to keep their spirits up.

The team of BAE Systems Submarines apprentices, along with their managers, cleared 15ft high brambles and thorns on a patch of wasteground behind Bram Longstaffe Nursery School on Barrow Island.

Over the course of two days, the team of 10 volunteers got stuck in to clear the eyesore in a bid to provide the children with a piece of land set to be converted into a play area and community allotments.

Pupils and teachers buoyed on the shipyard workers as they cleared the site by quizzing them about their work and singing songs.

Nursery school teacher and community leader Dave Morrison said the kids were delighted with the result.

"The team worked absolutely brilliantly," he said.

"The local community say it's really lovely to see it happen as it has taken a while to get off the ground – and the children are over the moon.

"They are really looking forward to seeing the play area and allotments take shape. We can't thank the workforce enough – it's a really, really good project."