A GROUP of students and staff from Coleg Gwent's Usk campus have been getting their hands dirty clearing the grounds of a church in the town ahead of next month's Remembrance Day parade.

The group has been volunteering their time over the past three weeks as part of their Welsh Baccalaureate Challenge.

They have been tidying up the ground of the Priory Church of St Mary’s by cutting back bushes and uncovering old headstones that had been covered for many years.

The group will continue to support the church with these types of activities in the future.

Vicar Kevin Hasler said: “I would like to thank everyone involved. Their efforts have made a big difference to the appearance of the church grounds in time for our forthcoming memorial services.”

Lecturer Sherrie Harris said the students had shown "great commitment".

"They have worked extremely hard to clear the area ready for this special event," she said.

"It has really helped the community."

Another group from the college have also been out and about in the town, litter picking in the park area and the Usk Island area with Keep Wales Tidy.

Thomas Jackson Ward from Keep Wales Tidy said: “I was happy to help the Coleg Gwent students find volunteering opportunities.

"The students responded well to my presentation on the issue of litter and marine litter as part of a Monmouthshire Coast Care project sponsored by Natural Resources Wales.”