A thriving Thetford business celebrating its 30th anniversary is looking for community groups in need of a helping hand to get in touch.

Thetford Garden Centre, in Kilverstone, is offering its expertise to 30 organisations in a bid to increase its community involvement.

This could be financial, in the form of advice, or through donations of products such as seeds or equipment.

Managing director, Jean Nixon, said the business had already been in touch with some, but was looking for others, within 15 miles of the centre, to come forward.

She added: “Trading in Thetford for 30 years is an achievement we are very proud of.

“The town has a great community and we have got to know a lot of people over the years. Although we’ve always helped local charities and organisations we now want to get more hands-on and to repay the community in some small way for supporting us. We want to hear from groups who feel they could benefit from our help.”

The garden centre, an independent family business founded in 1982 by Jean and Paul Nixon, has also begun work on an extension to the front of the building.

This will include a dome-like structure and the customer service desk and till area will be updated. Work is expected to be completed in early May when an official opening and “giant” birthday party will be held.

Director, Lucy Nixon, said the aim was to create a modern entrance and expand the size of the centre.

She said: “We’ve never really thought about how long we’ve been here before, all our anniversary’s kept passing us by, but this year we wanted to do something special.

“We wanted to shout about it and say thank you to everyone - it’s a family business so I’ve known some of the customers since I was tiny.”

The garden centre is aiming to help 30 organisations which are within 15 miles of the centre with projects that are appropriate to the business and have a high level of community involvement.

To find out more e-mail the garden centre on info@thetfordgardencentre.co.uk or call 01842 763267.