The garden will teach horticulture students of the future

Coleg Sir G�r will announce on Tuesday that it will hold its horticulture courses at the garden at Llanarthne, from September.

Students will be develop skills while supporting and working alongside staff at the garden.

The deal will be officially unveiled at the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd.

Rob Taylor, horticulture lecturer at the college, welcomed the chance to strengthen links with the garden.

"In the long run, I think we will go from strength to strength," he said.

"Horticultural education in Wales will grow, and that in turn will end up with youngsters being more able and hopefully being able to go on to businesses which will help Wales as well.

"So it's got to be good for everybody."

Opportunity

Rhodri Griffiths, manager of the National Botanic Garden, said he was pleased to build on the partnership with the college.

"This is a wonderful example of the educational opportunities the garden offers."

Earlier this year, the garden was rescued after experiencing severe financial difficulties.

The deal for the coming year comprises �300,000 each from Carmarthenshire County Council, the Millennium Commission and the Welsh Assembly Government.