PAIGNTON Zoo is the place to head to if you want to learn more about gardening.

The zoo, which is also a botanical garden, is holding some adult learning courses next month.

Kevin Frediani, the zoo's curator of plants and gardens, said that as part of the Learning Revolution/Learn Devon, the zoo's education team is testing the water to find out if there is demand for such courses.

They also see it as a new way to engage, stimulate and interest both regular visitors to the zoo and new audiences.

It is hoped those taking part will get a better understanding of plants and new skills they can take home with them to improve the way they garden or the way they look at gardens and plants.

The tutors are all hands-on gardeners rather than teachers and are aimed at groups of 10 to 20.

The courses are broad overviews of the subject for people who are interested but who know nothing about gardening.

Topics to be covered include indoor garden plants and their care, an introduction to plants and their use in the garden

The first session for each course is subsidised. All the courses that last more than one session include a fee to cover room, staff and local resource use.

The houseplants course is on Saturday, March 6, 1pm to 4pm costing £10.

The designing with plants course is on Saturday, March 20, with two additional Saturdays from 1pm to 3pm costing £30.

For more information, call Michelle on 01803 697510.