A PAIR of girlguides raising money to be international representatives battled the winds to plant hedges at the County Showground.

Talia Draper, 13, and Erica Hiscock, 14, have been chosen to head to Holland to be international representatives for the girlguides — but they need to raise £1,300 each to get them there.

The duo sent around sponsorship forms for the hedge laying and then, while battling the storm, planted 165 hedge plants outside the showground.

Claire Draper, who runs The Plant Shop and organised the event, said: "They did put in a good old shift. They stayed for hours in that wind to plant the hedges.

"It was a really great day. A few volunteers turned up for support but the girls worked really hard."

Claire said she liked to get young people involved with gardening and planting, to understand responsibility and learn more about wildlife in general.