THEY’RE been preparing all year and now is the time to bloom.

Pre-vocational students at Weymouth College are holding their annual plant sale – the culmination of months of work.

The sale, which runs until Friday, is the main event of the year at the college’s garden shop and growing area as it gives the students a chance to gain valuable skills.

Since January they have been learning about horticulture by sowing seeds, potting plants and making boxes. In the weeks leading up to the event they have been making posters to promote it while during the sale they will gain retail experience.

Now the shop is bursting with colour as scores of plants fill the shelves.

Garden centre instructor Trish Lea and learning support worker Cheryl Ford are impressed by the students’ enthusiasm and ability.

Trish said: “It gives them a great sense of achievement when they see the end result of the plant sale.

“The whole point of it is that the students gain valuable working experience while producing quality plants.”

She said the plants on sale include bedding plants, which have been grown from seed, as well as shrubs, perennials and climbers. Hanging baskets, vegetables and herbs are also available.

Other products available to buy throughout the year from the shop include books, gifts, snacks and Fairtrade goods.

Trish said another student success was that they have been making the hanging baskets for the Antelope Walk arcade in Dorchester.

The plant sale runs every day until Friday from 10am-3pm.

For more information call 01305 208721.

The shop aims to be environmentally friendly and discourages plastic bag use so customers are encouraged to bring their own boxes.