GREEN-fingered youngsters got their hands dirty to help CBeebies favourite ‘Mr Bloom’ transform a patch of land into a community allotment.

The children’s star, played by Ben Faulks, visited Pennine Lancashire’s Community Farm, in Stoneyholme, Burnley, last week to film a special episode of Mr Bloom’s Nursery.

The BBC2 programme, a favourite among pre-school children, saw empty land rejuvenated into a community allotment for residents in Burnley and Pendle.

The garden transformation was funded by the BBC North Kicker Fund.

Mr Bloom said: “The Veggies and I had a fabulous time filming in Burnley. The weather was really kind to us and it was lovely to see how amazed people were at the stunning transformation of the garden in Stoneyholme.

“The local community really got stuck in and we couldn’t have done it without them. I was delighted so many of them came down to the filming on Sunday and to see us officially open the garden. I hope the residents enjoy the garden and continue to grow things in the allotments for many years to come.”

The BBC and registered charity Lancashire Pennine Community Farm hope the garden will help promote community cohesion and sustainable living.

The two days of filming were open to anyone who wanted to help, and Burnley’s mayor Coun David Heginbotham and his mayoress, Joan, also rolled up their sleeves.

Mr Bloom’s Nursery, a series of 26, 20-minute episodes, is returning for a second series as Mr Bloom and the loveable Veggies show how young children can learn from the experience of nurturing plants and vegetables.

This episode of Mr Bloom’s Nursery will be aired in early 2012.