A GARDEN centre in Thornbury is holding a tool amnesty to help school children with their gardening projects.

Thornbury’s Wyevale Garden Centre on Milbury Heath is asking anyone with old or damaged garden tools to hand them in as part of the Conservation Foundation's Tools for Schools programme known as Tools Shed.

Tom Yates, manager of Thornbury’s Wyevale Garden Centre, said: "It's the second year we have run an appeal like this and last year we supported the international charity, Feed the Children. We will give anyone who brings in their old gardening tools during the two weeks a 20 percent off voucher to redeem against any new gardening tools from our Wilkinson Sword, Yeoman or Joseph Bentley ranges."

The amnesty applies to tools such as trowels, spades, hand and garden forks, hoes, good old-fashioned garden rakes and lawn rakes, but not power tools, which are those powered by electricity or are petrol-driven.

The old tools will be donated to The Conservation Foundation's Tools Shed initiative.

The Foundation has been piloting a tool recycling project with Her Majesty's Prison Wandsworth in London. Any donated tools will be delivered to the prison and refurbished by prisoners nearing the end of their sentences, contributing to their re-training and rehabilitation. The revamped tools are then offered to primary schools and community groups for use in their gardens.

David Shreeve, director of the Conservation Foundation, said: "We're delighted that we've been able to link up with Wyevale Garden Centre for our 2009 Tools Shed initiative. Schools tell us how difficult it is to get the equipment they need for their gardens and a recycling project that helps equip the next generation of gardeners, reduces waste and provides practical skills for prisoners, seems the ideal solution."

For more information visit www.conservationfoundation.co.uk