YORK estate agents have rolled up their sleeves to help children at a local hospice become kings and queens of the jungle.

Green-fingered staff from Linley & Simpson, on Ousegate, swapped the office for the great outdoors to extend an adventure garden in the grounds of Martin House Hospice, originally created by the team last year.

The 11 volunteers were joined by supplier Nick Palmer, of Cattal-based environmental specialists AgriPest, to create an 18ft crocodile, which will take pride of place in the makeover.

This is the third year running that staff have helped to transform the outdoor areas of the hospice, its long-term charity partner.

Two years ago, they helped create a wildlife garden to provide a tranquil escape for the children in the hospice's care, their family and friends.

The result was a thriving habitat for declining species, such as butterflies, bees and hedgehogs.

Customer services manager, Emily Wilkinson, who co-ordinates Linley & Simpson's programme of community support and was one of the volunteers, said: "The jungle garden has proved very popular, so we jumped at the opportunity to make it even bigger and better for the children and young people to enjoy.

"Since we began supporting our friends at Martin House, we have handed over £70,000, but we also like to give our time through different volunteering projects like this.

"The amazing work of everyone at Martin House inspires us all to help in whatever way we can.

"We would also like to thank all those residents local to Wetherby who made donations of plants and ornaments for the project, which really caught the imagination of the community as well."

In addition to Emily, the Linley & Simpson team included founding directors Will Linley and Nick Simpson, Luke Gibson, Luvena Parkinson, Joe Gilman, Adam Lowman, Mark Sheridan, Greg Smallwood, Amanda May and Paula Ingham.

Martin House Hospice, at Boston Spa, near Wetherby, provides care for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses, and offers support, rest and practical help to their families.

For more information about its work visit martinhouse.org.uk