A NEW lease of life has been given to Mirehouse Community Centre and nearby gardens, thanks to Sellafield graduates.

Fifty-two volunteers have donned their overalls to spruce up two community facilities on the Mirehouse estate.

The graduates were split into two split to carry out the work.

One team painted the walls, skirting boards and radiators in numerous rooms in the community centre. And they tackled the external hand rails.

Varnish and paint have been donated to the centre to carry out further improvements.

And the community garden has undergone a major transformation. Graduates painted the shed, fences, and sanded and varnished benches. They also cleared the weeds and debris at the entrance of the garden.

Raised beds were weeded and improved with the addition of fertiliser and compost before being planted with fruit trees, winter veg and herbs donated by Sellafield Ltd.

Keith Cartner, chairman of the Mirehouse Residents Group, said: "On behalf of Mirehouse Residents Group, we are amazed by the work of the group in our community garden. The group has completed a cracking makeover in the garden. The residents who have plots are over the moon with the revitalised space and especially the new fruit and herb beds.

"We are really grateful for the hard work and endeavour shown over the whole day by the young people involved."

The teams were supported by graduates from last year's intake who provided advice and guidance on how best to approach the challenges. Each team nominated a project manager, safety manager and designated trained first aider. Risk assessments were also carried out.

Stuart McCourt Sellafield's education, community and development lead, said: "When we source our community projects, we always look to provide something of real benefit which is sustainable after we leave. Our graduates found it really rewarding to know that the gardens will be well looked after by the Mirehouse community groups and that the fruit and herbs grown there will be used by classes in the community centre."

Protective work wear and equipment was donated by Arco, gardening expertise and time provided by Stuart Murfitt of Whitehaven Garden Centre and free compost by West Coast Composting.