VOLUNTEER police cadets have been praised for their passion and commitment after helping to clear up an animal shelter sensory garden in Flintshire.

Two cadets from the Denbighshire Coastal and Abergele scheme visited the North Clwyd Animal Rescue Centre in Trelogan, Holywell on Saturday along with their leader, PC Manus Sheridan and assistant leader Kimberley Homer to help clear hedges, cut the grass and clear pathways.

The sensory garden at the centre helps calm dogs with behavioural and psychological problems and the cadets and other volunteers helped with the clean-up as part of National Volunteers Week.

Cadet leader, PC Manus Sheridan said: “We were invited to help out with the garden following some work we did with them before Christmas, where the Cadets ran a projects collection packages for the animals such as treats and toys.

“We were only too pleased to assist the centre again and despite the drizzly rain we all had a fantastic day. We had a tour of the facilities and were treated to a fantastic picnic.

“Both cadets worked really hard and did a brilliant job and I would like to thank them for giving up their Saturday to help out at a local charity.”

During the day, the cadets also had a stall set up at the location with home and garden safety advice for the centre visitors.

Jean Sellers, volunteer manager at the North Clwyd Animal Rescue Centre, said: “We would like to thank the police cadets for all their hard work at the weekend.

“They both worked really hard all day doing lots of jobs including mowing and strimming the grass areas. All the planters were cleaned, the paths were made nettle free and other areas were trimmed, weeded and swept.

“This area can now be used safely by our dogs. All the dogs who use the sensory garden really enjoy the freedom and activities.”

The Volunteer Police Cadet Programme provides an opportunity for young people from the age of 13 to 17 to get involved in activities that support community policing and learn about responsible citizenship.