A Widnes school is celebrating after receiving a prestigious accolade.

Pupils at Ashley School have won a five star gardening school award from the Royal Horticultural Society.

A team of gardeners nurtured bumper crops of potatoes and apples.

The fresh produce was used to make dishes such as cottage pie and apple crumble in food technology lessons.

The school in Cawfield Avenue has also been selected to take part in an exciting rocket science project in partnership with the European Space Agency.

This study will investigate whether human life in space can be sustained through the production of food.

There are currently two kilogrammes of rocket seeds on board the international space station. These will be returned to the Pacific Ocean in March 2016.

The seeds will then be collected and packaged with seeds that have stayed on earth.

Deputy head Clare Ogburn said “Students from Ashley School will care for some of these seeds and will input their findings into a national online database, comparing results with other schools across the UK.”

“It is hoped that our students will be inspired to think scientifically and help them to see the potential of future careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and horticulture.”