A GROUP of green-fingered Newsquest volunteers revamped the garden of an East Finchley special school yesterday in celebration of Mitzvah Day.

The new improved Ground Force team, which saw Alan Titchmarsh replaced by half a dozen eager employees from Times & Independent Newspapers, rejuvenated the run-down garden of Oak Lodge School, in Heath View.

The school was the winner of a Newsquest competition to find a worthy Mitzvah Day project that would benefit the community.

All the plants and equipment, totalling hundreds of pounds, were donated by Mill Hill Garden Centre, in Daws Lane, Mill Hill, which is part of The Garden Centre Group.

Teresa Ellis, Oak Lodge assistant headteacher, said: "I was completely knocked out by what they did. I can't believe how hard they worked.

"They were so enthusiastic. I gave them about three to four hours, but they just didn't stop.

"They did a fantastic job."

Pupil Chekina, 14, added: "I would use this garden if I feel sad and want to talk to someone. It's nice."

Rachel Sharp, Times & Independent Newspapers group editor, was joined by assistant group editor Francine Wolfisz, former assistant group editor Emma Hutchings, content editor Suzie Hart and reporter Kevin Bradford, as well as several enthusiastic helpers.

The group spent around five hours raking and clearing leaves, and planted heather, shrubs, pansies, lavender and various grasses.

They also planted an apple tree in the middle of a disused pond to act as a centre-piece for the garden.

Mitzvah Day founder Laura Marks said: "I was so overwhelmed that an editorial team went out and got their hands dirty. It was completely beyond the call of duty.

"I just thought, that's exactly what Mitzvah Day is all about. It is a grassroots event run by the local community, trying to do something for the local community.

"This seemed a great way to link people into the paper and link the paper into the people, and I'm delighted the company decided to take it on."

Times & Independent Newspapers group editor Rachel Sharp said: "It was a fantastic day and we all had a lot of fun.

"However, we could never have done it without the Mill Hill Garden Centre, which was incredibly generous with donating plants, bulbs, bark and equipment.

"We feel strongly that the local newspaper should serve the community, and this was a great way of getting involved and doing a good deed at the same time.

"The school is a very worthy cause, so we are delighted they were chosen."

Mitzvah Day encourages participants to donate their time rather than money to help make a difference in their community.

It takes its name from the Hebrew word "mitzvah", which means to do a good deed.

Mill Hill Garden Centre manager Matthew Cook had never heard of the day before Mrs Wolfisz approached him for help, but said he was now keen to take part every year.

"It sounded like a really good cause and an interesting project," he said.

"I was really keen to help out as I think it's important to get involved as much as possible in the local community.

"Mitzvah Day was completely new to me, but I'll definitely be looking to find out more about it before next year."