We're potty about plants

Green-fingered pals Martyn Hole and Christopher Edwards found friends among the plants at 4th Canvey scout group fete.

The entertainment on King George’s playing fields included Essex Rangers’ Gunfighters who put on a thrilling wild west show and Canvey Crystals majorette troupe.

Charities like Save the Children Fund and the RNLI were in the money, as well as the scouts. For every year, outside organisations are invited to have their own fund-raising stalls.

St Anne’s Guides were there manning a stall and looking particularly hungry. They were in the middle of a 24-hour fast to raise cash for multiple sclerosis research and Christian Aid. Guide leader Mrs Valerie Britton said: “Nobody passed out. We stayed at the church all night and it made it easier being all together. The girls ended their fast with a feast of jacket potatoes and baked beans.”