UP to 30 new jobs will be created when a new garden centre opens at Poundbury in the spring.

Workers are on site refurbishing old farm buildings for the garden centre, which is being opened by the directors of Castle Gardens of Sherborne and Brimsmore Gardens in Yeovil.

Bosses at the firm hope to re-use as many of the original features of the site as possible to create the garden centre to be known as Poundbury Gardens, in disused buildings on the edge of the latest phase of Prince Charles's development.

Mike Burks, managing director of Castle and Brimsmore Gardens, said the aim of the development, which is near Woodlands Terrace and will eventually form one side of the proposed Queen Mother Square, was to re-use as much of the original structure as possible.

He said: "Features of visual or historic interest such as slate lined feeding troughs, a large grain hopper and a lichen covered wall will be retained. Even the colour of the paintwork on barn doors and window frames has been perfectly matched after careful research.

"One of the most satisfying parts is seeing old materials being re-used, as this is a key part of our plans for the site. Now we can see this in practice as roof tiles are replaced, wood re-used, stonework exposed and beams cleaned and preserved."

He said it was also planned to use recycled materials when the centre was running. "A huge water tank has been set into the central courtyard area and this will store rain water which will be used to irrigate.

"Our heating system will use old packing and delivery materials as fuel and a long Victorian-style glass house has been positioned in such a way as to need little extra heating."

He said that the plan was to employ 30 people for the opening of the centre including a manager, plant experts, chefs and waiting staff.

A recruitment day is planned on the site, which is close to the new play area, on November 12 from 10am to 3pm.