Weekly newspaper journalists came together with local volunteers to build a new community garden on their patch.

The Hampshire Chronicle’s head of news Andrew Napier and senior reporter Christopher Atkinson pitched in to help set up the outline of the garden as part of parent company Newsquest’s annual volunteering scheme.

The garden is being built outside St Barnabas Church, Winchester, and is being constructed from pallets and other reclaimed materials.

Newsquest’s scheme allows its staff to spend one day per year volunteering at charities and good causes.

Hampshire Chronicle’s head of news Andrew Napier and senior reporter Christopher Atkinson get to work.

The creation of the garden is part of the ongoing Winchester Garden Festival which features more than 60 events across venues.

Chronicle editor Kimberley Barber said: “It was great to see Andrew and Chris getting their hands dirty to help such a good cause.

“Despite some downpours, they knuckled down and really helped to get the job started. Stephanie’s idea for a festival celebrating gardening is an excellent one – it’s a great addition to Winchester’s already vibrant festival secene, and one that we are pleased to support as the city’s biggest local newspaper.”

Chronicle staff also volunteered as marshals for the Walk the Watercress Way, a charity fundraising walk for a youth charity organised by the Rotary Club of Winchester earlier this month.

As previously reported, staff at sister title the Basingstoke Gazette signed up to volunteer at the Old Basing carnival.

Their help and the plea for help they ran in the newspaper helped to generate enough support from the community that it meant last Saturday’s carnival could go ahead after organisers said it was at risk of closure.