A PLANT nursery was opened yesterday, after £50,000 was spent refurbishing it to provide training for adults with special needs.

The Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Roderick Francis, performed the ceremony at the Nubeck Nursery.

It will be used by adults with special needs from the Beck House day centre, to help them learn skills and gain work experience.

The garden at Beck House had to be closed, so Darlington Borough Council agreed to provide the facility at its Woodburn Nursery site, in Salutation Road.

Buildings have been refurbished to allow disabled access, wheelchair accessible paths have been created around the nursery and there are plans to install a workshop.

Coun Francis said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for local adults with special needs to have access to practical learning experiences, with the prospect of gaining new qualifications and possible permanent employment.

"It is an excellent example of how the council is working in partnership to improve the lives of local residents and offering opportunities to all members of the community."