LAINESMEAD Nursery and Primary School opened its new sensory garden on Thursday morning.

The school successfully bid to be included in Tesco's community project scheme 'Bags of Help' and were awarded £5000 for this development.

School council representatives, Headteacher Eirian Painter, volunteers and local Tesco Community Champions gathered at the school for the garden's grand opening.

The school involved the children in the development of the project with the school council working hard on the design of the area.

Members considered how all of the senses could be stimulated to nurture and support all children, particularly those who have special educational needs and disabilities.

Mrs Painter made a short speech to open the garden, thanking Tesco’s for its donation.

She also thanked Ray Kyson, the school site manager, and Philip Bayley, a volunteer in the school, for their hard work and dedication in clearing the area and setting up the garden.

Mrs Painter said: “The sensory garden is a valuable asset to the school which could not have been created without the help of the Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme.

"It means that there is a safe and calm area for children within the school which supports the nurturing ethos that is so important to everyone involved in Lainesmead.”

The children are already responding positively to the garden.

Pupil Lily, a school council member, said: “I love it in the garden – it feels like such a special place!”

This is not the end of the school’s ambitious plans for their outside space.

The school council’s next project is to gain sponsorship for the purchase of hens, a hen coop, pygmy goats and a shelter for them.