David Cameron MP took time out from political questions surrounding the leadership of the Conservative Party to lend a hand as work started on a Witney school's Project X, a wildlife garden built entirely by volunteers.

Thousands voted for Springfield School to win Project X, a £10,000 competition run last month by Fox FM and Barclays Bank.

The special needs school, which shares its Madley Park site with mainstream primary school Madley Brook, fought off stiff competition from four other community schemes to win the funding.

Work started on Saturday, when volunteers from Fox FM, Barclays and the two schools began clearing the ground.

Mr Cameron, who is widely expected to stand for leadership of the Conservative Party, said:"I am pleased to be helping out with such a good cause which brings local business and people together to help in the community."

School headteacher Christina Niner said: "The garden will be invaluable, it will enrich the curriculum and will provide an opportunity for pupils from both schools to work together in an exciting and a safe environment.

"We've had offers of help from all sorts of people. We've got someone from West Oxfordshire District Council coming to dig out the pond, we've got carpentry students and we've had offers of materials from all sorts of local businesses.

"We're hoping to have most of it ready by the Autumn, and we'll be appealing for more volunteers as the project develops."

Carina Martin, marketing controller at Fox FM said: "Project X has really struck a chord with our listeners. We were inundated with votes, notably for Springfield School. We're grateful to all the businesses and individuals who have volunteered to help us create this wonderful garden."

Momentum is gathering around Mr Cameron to attract the crucial votes of the Tory party's left and modernisers.

In an interview on GMTV, senior Tory Tim Yeo welcomed the prospect of a Cameron leadership bid.

Mr Yeo said that he would be willing to stand aside in favour of a candidate which other like-minded Conservatives could "coalesce around".

David Davis remains the bookies' favourite. Ladbrokes make him the odds-on favourite to win the leadership battle at 4/6, with Mr Cameron on 6/1 and Kenneth Clarke on 11/1.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind is given a 12/1 shot, as is Liam Fox.