THE new mayor of Farnham has opened officially a new raised garden bed project at the William Cobbett School.

Each class at the Farnham-based junior school had their own bed built in the school's garden area toward the end of last year, and a metal arch was built at the garden's entrance by students of the University for the Creative Arts.

And Paddy Blagden, who was still deputy mayor at the time of the visit, cut the ribbon to officially open the area in front of nearly all 400 pupils.

Andy Mitchell, head of year six, said: "It was a lovely day, the sunniest day of the year. The dignitaries were shown around by the children, before the headteacher spoke and the deputy mayor cut a ribbon, and there was some lovely artwork from UCA students. The beds were funded by the parent teacher association and the school fund."

The school now hopes to teach pupils cooking lessons and vegetable growing.

Mr Mitchell added: "We can now foster children's interests in gardening, and hope to demonstrate how to cook. Teachers are also preparing a programme to introduce vegetables to the plots."