Local councils will invite budding horticulturalists of all ages to apply for a traineeship scheme that will offer them the opportunity to improve their green skills and make sure our towns and cities' green spaces stay green.
Bristol City and Torbay Councils will be looking for people who can prove their gardening prowess and follow in the footsteps of one former green apprentice, Alan Titchmarsh.
As a youngster, Alan was given the chance to train as a green apprentice by Ilkley Council, Yorkshire. His apprenticeship gave him the opportunity to get involved in an area he was already interested in but also proved a stepping-stone to a star-studded career in horticulture.
Margaret Beckett will announce the new funding in a speech to leading experts in the green space sector as well as planners, developers and health officials at the ParkCity conference in London.
