L to R CHRIS INGRAM [Community Ranger ] ROD AUSTIN, AMY CHAPMAN and DI AUSTIN

Freezing temperatures failed to get the better of a bunch of green-fingered volunteers last Saturday.

Friends of Arlington Square, Islington, braved the weather to cut back branches and carry out winter pruning at the garden ahead of a major revamp of the park which started on Monday. A group of four warmly-dressed toddlers also got their hands dirty and built a timber pile.

The maintenance cleared the way for the Community Garden Build which includes new raised flower beds, fencing and gates as well as a shed renovation.

The cash for development came from the Big Lottery Fund following a year of improvements at the park all done by local residents.