March 1, 2001 9:53: GARDENERS are being urged to rake out their old or unwanted tools to help people in developing countries.

Notcutts Garden Centre in Clay Lane, Booker, wants your old or unused, non-powered, hand-held garden tools for the Rake Out Your Old Tools campaign.

As an incentive to collect tools, the garden centre is giving people a 20 per cent discount towards a new tool.

James Lilley, Notcutts manager, said: "Notcutts will accept all non-powered hand-held gardening implements, even if their wooden handles are broken, just so long as they can be repaired.

"There are workshops in the countries the tools will go to so new wooden handles can be turned on site."

Notcutts is collecting the tools for agricultural workers in developing countries through the Salesian order, a Catholic order which works with young people throughout the world.

James added: "Many of us have inherited or accumulated old tools in our garden sheds and garages.

"This campaign gives gardeners a good reason to see them go to good use.

"If at the same time gardeners want to replace, upgrade or renew any tools, then our campaign has benefits too."

Tools should be handed into the garden centre between March 19 and April 15