KIND-hearted bankers pitched in to help Blackburn with Darwen primary schools as part of a volunteer programme.

Up to 60 Barclays staff swapped their desks and computers to wield spades, paint brushes and pruning shears to help five local schools improve and enhance their school grounds.

At Edgworth CE Primary School, bankl staff pitched in to decorate the infants' entrance hall and staff room, while at St. Stephen's CE. Junior School they helped create a wall-painting showing the seasons in one of the school corridors.

At Holy Trinity CE Primary School, Darwen, they helped pupils from the school's environment group spring clean the garden and plant bulbs.

A team at St Paul's RC Primary, Feniscowles, helped develop an outdoor learning area for pupils and carried out general grounds improvements.

And at St Matthew's Primary School, staff worked to create a quiet play and sensory garden.

The school has already won a Green Grant towards creating the garden with herbs and plants that children can see, touch and smell. Coun Mahfooz Hussain, executive member for education and lifelong learning said he was delighted that Barclays had again supported local schools through its employee volunteering programme.

"These are the kind of projects which make a real difference to the children. I am very grateful to Barclays staff for giving their time so generously," he said.

Last autumn, 100 staff volunteered to take on similar challenges at eight borough schools as part of a staff development and team-building programme.

Rachel Herbinson, community manager for the North West said: "This is another lovely example of Barclays staff working closely with the community to achieve something we hope will make a real and lasting difference to the schoolchildren."