Youngsters are being challenged to prove their green-fingered skills for a horticultural show later this year.

Spearheading the project is gardener Steve Thorpe, who works with pupils throughout the Bradford district where children have set up their own allotment-style projects.

The Bradford and District Primary School Flower and Vegetable Show will be held on a date to be fixed at Haworth Primary School, where Mr Thorpe works and which also has a Food for Life Award from Prince Charles.

Mr Thorpe, who started Haworth Primary School gardening club seven years ago, is hoping to get Ilkley-born gardening TV celebrity Alan Titchmarsh, who has also praised his work at the school, to present the prizes.

“These are really exciting times for growing in schools,” said Mr Thorpe, who lives in Haworth.

“The allotment-style project at Haworth Primary School has spawned a generation of green-fingered gardeners and spread a healthy-eating message into the community.

“I believe this show will be the first of its kind and I’m looking forward to it encouraging lots more schools to get growing.

“I’ve been working at eight other schools throughout Bradford and the progress has been terrific.

“The idea is that primary schools bring their produce to the show to demonstrate their enthusiasm and skills. It will be a celebration of what is happening in Bradford primary schools. But unlike other shows where people are looking for perfection, this will be about having fun.”

Already involved as well as Haworth are Hollingwood Primary at Clayton Heights, Shibden at Queensbury, Parkwood in Keighley, Cottingley, Lees, the Lowfold Centre in Keighley and Strong Close Nursery at Keighley.

Haworth School’s Food for Life award from Prince Charles, which only a handful of schools in the country have achieved, recognises the good work being done to promote healthy eating and food education for the pupils.

Mr Thorpe can be contacted about the show on (01535) 647496 or 07969 658743.