Schoolchildren are planting a kitchen garden after funding from the National Lottery.

Witham MP Priti Patel visited the project at Rivenhall Primary School, in Witham, on Friday to hear about the sensory garden project which includes growing soft fruit.

In October 2010 the school was awarded just over £1,500 for the project which will also benefit the local community .

Ms Patel then went on to meet with members of the Rural Community Council of Essex to see how they are spending their £8,319 lottery grant.

The group are running workshops and training on how to manage village halls and buildings.