GARDENS on Canvey seafront will soon get a revamp by a team of volunteers from Castle Point Council.

Six employees at the authority have agreed to take part in the volunteer gardening day, which is organised by the environmental charity Groundwork South Essex.

The event, at the seafront gardens, is the first of several projects by council employees as part of a new volunteering scheme.

It allows employees to work in a team on a community project, helping to improve the area they serve, while learning new skills and developing their teamwork.

The scheme was officially launched last week, when representatives of the Castle Point Association of Voluntary Service gave a presentation to 40 interested employees about the benefits and importance of volunteering.

Many of these employees have now signed up for volunteer projects, including building a website for a charity group, helping at a school and assisting at a Sunday luncheon club.

Chief executive David Marchant said: "Volunteers make a huge difference to our community and it seemed a good idea to encourage our staff to get involved, too.

"I have been delighted by the enthusiasm staff have shown for volunteering."