The Northern Ireland Housing Executive has worked with children from the New Model Farm estate in Downpatrick and Ecoseeds Ltd to help plant wildflowers in an area of grassland in the estate.

The children, who are members of the St. Dympna's Youth Group, carried out the planting under the supervision of Jenny Lavery, the Flying Horse Ward Community Forum's Community Health Worker.

The children established the wildflower meadow last year and have developed the area by planting additional flowers this summer.

Downpatrick District Manager Aidan Brannigan said: "I am delighted that Ecoseeds and the children in New Model Farm have taken part in this project.

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"This project has significantly enhanced the biodiversity of this site, and provides an extremely colourful and enduring amenity for the local community."

Ecoseeds Ltd is the largest provider of wildflower seed in Northern Ireland.

Senior Consultant at the firm, Mark Bryson said: "We are delighted to be working with this group of young people in New Model Farm.

"I am sure their efforts will be much appreciated by the local community, and will give the young people a sense of ownership of this area of wildflower planting.

"To further the needs of enhancing Ireland's biodiversity we are working with education bodies to increase awareness in future generations of the importance of native wild flowers and their habitats.

"We have introduced, in partnership with the Housing Executive, a 'NIHE Guardian Scheme' whereby the local school and community association take 'ownership' of the wildlife area, and in recognition of this a specially designed plaque is presented for display in the school or community premises.

"This scheme works on two levels - it rewards the receiving group for their environmental commitment, and it encourages 'ownership' of the area," he added.

(PR/JM)