Green-fingered volunteers turned into gardeners to help replant the Vintry Garden in St Albans.

A work party of volunteer gardeners from the Earthworks charity were joined last Thursday by the city’s mayor, Annie Brewster, to plant a variety of shrubs and plants in the walled garden.

This was organised by St Albans District Council and its ground maintenance contractor, John O'Conner, who provided guidance and support.

Albium bulbs from the district’s roundabouts are also being re-used.

The mayor said: "All this hard work being done this week will make the Vintry Garden look stunning when spring comes at last. I am very grateful to the Earthworks volunteers who demonstrated impressive gardening skills and to staff from John O Conner Grounds Maintenance for their hard work."

"I am also grateful to fellow councillors who helped to make this work possible."

The historic walled garden in the centre of St Albans was once tended by medieval monks who created a vineyard for the nearby Abbey. The Vintry Garden was then named after the vines that grew there.

An ancient vine is still in place carefully trained against the wall as the council has maintained the horticultural tradition.

Major restoration work benefited the walled gardens in 2005. The pathways and century walls were restored with traditional materials such as York Stone, and ramps were built to provide easy access for people with disabilities.