THEY may be used to serving up slices of Victoria sponge but it was a special 10th birthday cake staff and volunteers at Pumphouse Environment Centre were preparing to cut this week.

People who had contributed over the past decade to the centre, based in Waterworks Road, Barbourne, Worcester, were invited to a special gathering today (Wednesday) and Thursday.

On the menu was a specially made birthday cake which was cut by Cecil Duckworth, chairman of the Duckworth Trust, to celebrate the Trust owning the former pumping station for the past decade.

In that time, it has been transformed into a community hub which focuses on raising awareness of environmental issues with displays, workshops and events.

Recently, the Pumphouse went through a refurbishment with help from Worcestershire Recycle Exchange (WRE) and students from University of Worcester who helped to design the new logo and branding.

The centre also boasts meeting rooms for groups such as antenatal classes and a popular cafe with a children's play area made using recycled materials.

Roisin Hanks, project manager, said: "We have about 100 people visit us on a good day and we've just become busier and busier.

"For ten years we have been promoting the environmental aspect and the work of groups like WRE.

"We've got a touch screen with lots of information and we try and make it interesting so we can promote that message.

"We hope to attract more people and try to make it a place where people can come and relax as well as become a hub for environmental information so people can find out what is going on locally, regionally and nationally."

To find out more about the Duckworth Trust, log on to dwt.org.uk.