Barnsley MP Dan Jarvis was not afraid to get messy when he paid a visit to a group of young artists.
The MP grabbed a paintbrush and joined youngsters who were painting a garden mural, during his visit to the Darton Community Garden.
He was joined by Barnsley councillor Roy Miller as he helped to work on the project by the Kids’ Earth activity group.
The two suited dignitaries put on their aprons to help apply the undercoat to the mural, which will depict people and activities around the garden and in the local area. It is being painted on the side of the garden’s storage container with paint donated by local DIY stores.
Kids’ Earth is a group based at the community garden and is free to children aged eight to 18. It takes place every Sunday from 12.30pm to 3.30pm and activities include gardening, cooking, wildlife, art and craft and games.
Mr Jarvis and Cllr Miller also watched the children take part in pond dipping during their visit, and then enjoyed scones with raspberry and blackcurrant jam made from fruit grown in the garden.
Pete Riley, community garden manager, said: “It was fantastic that Mr Jarvis and Cllr Miller were able to spend so much time with us and find out about how the garden runs and see the Kids’ Earth group in a full swing.
“We very much hope that the garden will continue to flourish and be an important part of the local community.”