GREEN-FINGERED youngsters Billy and Charlotte helped to sow the first seeds in a new garden donated to blood cancer patients in the county.

Five-year-old Billy from Swanage and four-year-old Charlotte from West Moors, who are both battling leukaemia, plan to grow their own flowers and vegetables at the plot, behind the Pamphill farm shop near Wimborne.

The site was donated by a local farmer to the aptly-named Dorset charity LEAF (Leukaemia Education And Fundraising) set up by Natasha Jones who beat leukaemia last year.

Natasha, who lives with her husband and three sons in Stapehill, set up the charity from her hospital bedside in February 2006 to help other sufferers.

Her friend and LEAF worker Rebecca French, 37, a part-time NHS worker who lives with her two daughters near Blandford, is overseeing the garden project.

“The farmer is kindly allowing us to have the land for free and has even provided us with some seeds,” she explained.

“We eventually hope to be able to sell the plants and veg to raise funds for LEAF.”

Rebecca who has her own health problems with Multiple Sclerosis, added: “I thought it would help to take their minds off their treatment.

“It is also a good reason to get children like Billy and Charlotte out into the fresh air.”