VICAR of Dibley star Trevor Peacock officially opened a gardening project in Dorchester.

Mr Peacock, who played Jim Trott in the popular British sitcom, attended as a special guest at the opening of the Germinators’ Gardening Project at the Greenwood Centre in Maiden Castle Road.

Germinators is a Dorset County Council supported group based in the county town that offers people with disabilities the opportunity to work together to produce plants and vegetables.

The Vicar of Dibley actor, well known for his catch phrase ‘no, no, no, no, yes!’, gave a speech at the ceremony celebrating the official opening of the garden that will be open to members of the group.

Mr Peacock, who lives in Somerset, said he was delighted to be part of the day.

He said: “The day was really wonderful.

“You watch the news and you’d think the world was coming to an end but there are wonderful things happening in these communities. This project shows that people are looking after each other and there are more organisations looking after people like this now.

“Theatre has taken me all over the world and I have seen life all over the place and I do think there are some wonderful things happening in this country.”

He added: “I think the Germinators project is wonderful and it was a pleasure to be there.

“I felt very lucky to be part of it.”

Tony Strawbridge, vocational support officer at the county council, said it was an honour to have Mr Peacock attend the opening.

He said: “I was really chuffed that Trevor came down.

“He is a really nice, down-to-earth sort of chap.”

“He was telling us what a good idea our project is, helping people with disabilities, and that it was achieving something really positive.”

Mr Strawbridge added: “It was a really good day. We had a cracking turn out and lots of people came down.

“We also had a raffle and after the speeches and official opening we had a barbecue.

“I think Trevor being there made it a bit more exciting.”

Germinators is managed by Stepping Stones and has received help and sponsorship from businesses including Focus DIY, Travis Perkins, Build Centre, Hearn Group and Pipefix.

If you are interesting in joining The Germinators contact Mr Strawbridge on 01305 228408.