THERE'S no longer any excuse for Merkinch folk to have untidy gardens or jobs undone about the house.

For the Merkinch Tool Club, which recently expanded from South Kessock to cover the whole area, has a remarkable collection of virtually brand new tools to help both indoors and out. Altogether there are almost 150 items to be found in their Aladdin's cave of a clubhouse in Craigton Avenue.

Everything from small hand tools like secateurs, forks and hoes to major items such as a cement mixer, lawn mowers – petrol and electrical – barrows and a 2-ton trolley.

There are oodles of decorating tools – sanders and stripping knives, paint rollers and power drills. In the way of general tools there is everything from step ladders to safety goggles. Indeed, safety is a top priority and all tools are checked to make sure they are in good working order.

The Tool Club is open weekdays between 10am and 11am, Saturday 10am to 12 noon. And all it costs is £5 for six months, which is payable in two parts if cash flow is not as prolific as the weeds in your garden!