Leicester Mercury staff rolled up their sleeves to brighten up the lives of children and homeless people in the city.

Employees from editorial and newspaper sales and the business development unit volunteered for tasks that called for some elbow grease...

They split into teams to paint games on playground walls and floors at Inglehurst Primary School and create an allotment for residents of Border House, a hostel for homeless families.

Features writer Sarah Staples worked on the allotment project.

She said: "It chucked down with rain for most of the day, but the weather didn't dampen anyone's enthusiasm.

"We had a brilliant time and I know that all of us walked away at the end of it with a sense of achievement – and some very, very sore muscles!"

The plot at the Abbey Rise Allotments in Mowmacre Hill will be used to teach the Border House residents' children about growing fruit and vegetables.

The land was overgrown and had to be cleared of weeds by the volunteers. Eventually it will also have a lawned area and a sensory garden.

Some of the Mercury volunteers plan to return later this year to lend a hand again in getting the allotment ready for planting.

The charity Leicestershire Cares, which is based in the Leicester Mercury building, organised the voluntary effort.