Community payback work to improve the garden space at East Lothian Roots and Fruits (ELRF) in Elphinstone has been praised by the village’s community council.

Those ordered to carry out community payback have been helping build flower beds for the garden and clearing paths.

The work has also been carried out by volunteers.

Margo Macdonald, Elphinstone representative on Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council, praised the work that had been done at the November meeting of the group.

She said: “They’ve done a fantastic job. The volunteers and the community payback team.

“The garden is looking great and everyone has worked very hard.”

Mike Falconer, chair of the group, added: “I think this is fantastic. We have advocated for community payback to help with things like this in the community.

“It is a great thing to see this work so successfully.”

Pamela McKinlay, project manager at ELRF, said: “Our garden is almost finished and I am sure you will agree it looks brilliant.

“The work was done by the community payback team with East Lothian Council and volunteers and they have done an amazing job and in a very short timescale.

“Massive thanks to Calum Smart from East Lothian Council who organised everything.

“Well done, we look forward to getting our garden group up and running in the new year!”