Imaginative children designed a garden to reflect how broadband and their school values kept them all connected during the pandemic.

Youngsters across Cheshire were challenged to create a small garden on the theme of 'Come Together'

Pupils at Croft Primary School spent months meticulously preparing their display for the RHS Flower Show at Tatton and their efforts were featured on television.

Headteacher Michelle Clifford set up an online after school club in March for children to discuss their ideas and work out how they could put the project together.

Youngsters printed a tree which is their school logo, containing all the core values they believe in such as kindness, respect, honesty and responsibility, as a backdrop.

Rope lights were used to create a fence around the garden, showing how they were all joined together throughout lockdown by the Internet.

Children were on hand throughout the show in Knutsford to talk to visitors about their work.

Pupil Leo Fleming, 10, said: "I really enjoyed helping with the garden. Every child painted an acorn to represent us working at home during the pandemic.

"We dangled the acorns all along the fence to show us being joined together.

Croft Primary School

Jake Fleming with the acorns showing how pupils were all joined together by broadband

"Each colour represented a different, year group, our nursery and our staff."

Old laptops that could not be used anymore were spread across the garden to represent children working remotely at home.

Paths symbolised how each home was linked to a Google classroom.

Gloves were added to the display to remind children how they clapped for carers and used their hands on keyboards.

Plants were grown in the school greenhouse from plug plants or seeds and moved outside once they became established.

Visitors said they were very impressed by the children's hard work and determination.

Croft Primary School

Jake Fleming beside the model of a schoolgirl at a laptop in the garden

One retired teacher said: "I appreciate how much hard work went into it all and it was clear that the pupils were actively involved all the way through.

"It was lovely to be able to talk to one of the pupils. She was very confident and able to answer our questions. What a wonderful opportunity for pupils to be able to interact with the public developing essential life skills.

"Well done to everybody involved. You were a highlight of the show."

A teaching assistant added: "The little girl who introduced the garden was very confident and proud of her school.

"The concept and ideas put into the garden were amazing."

Another visitor said: "Of all the gardens on display at the flower show, including those designed by professional gardeners, it is only yours that has made such an emotional impact on me."