HUNDREDS of people helped celebrate the opening of a sensory garden that has been created out of wasteland.
The garden, in Willington, has been created by Rosedale and Victoria Allotment Association with the help of volunteers and schoolchildren.
It is the latest development on the seven acre site, which since 1999 has been turned into a haven for families, and disabled and elderly people.
Wear Valley District Council chairman Councillor Margaret Douthwaite unveiled the garden during a recent open day that attracted more than 350 visitors and raised £400 for the association.
Before the scheme, which has been awarded grants worth about £13,000 from Groundwork, the district council and businesses, less than half the plots were occupied and the area attracted vandals and drug users.
The association is now working on a tree nursery at the site.
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