YOUNG gardeners have been given more time to get their hand on tools for their school.

Wilkinson Sword Garden Tools, whose distribution centre is based in Bicester, has extended the closing date for its competition until Friday, December 16.

The contest is only open to Oxfordshire schools and was originally meant to close on November 30 but the company said it was extending the deadline due to unprecedented interest.

To enter pupils have to design a fruit and vegetable garden and submit the plans to Wilkinson Sword.

The winning school will be handed £180 worth of tools as well as a visit from Lucas Hatch, who was recognised as a young gardener of the year by the Royal Horticultural Society.

Wilkinson Sword garden division general manager Nick Hills said: “We are thrilled by the amount of interest that has already been shown in this campaign, and are eager to get as many schools involved as possible, which is why we are extending the deadline.” “The designs that have already come through, show an impressive level of interest in gardening, which is exactly what we were hoping to help nurture.

“We can’t wait to see more of them.”

Entry forms and top tips from gardening expert Martin Fish have been sent out to all schools in the area.

For more information email faywilkinson@paskett.co.uk or tweet @WSGardenTools.