A MAGIC garden designed to thrill the senses has been given a regional award.

People joined forces to create the garden at Woodhouse Close Church, Bishop Auckland.

Calling themselves the Senses at Woodhouse Committee, they designed a project that would appeal to all the senses.

It was supported by Wear Valley District Council, Bishop Auckland College, Community Education and Durham County Foundation. Artist Gavin Mayhew brought together the ideas from everyone from the children in the Mothers and Toddlers Group to elderly people.

He said: "It was great. I had the idea initially that everybody could do something and we would make it into a garden sculpture sort of thing, using different materials.''

Members of the community gathered at the Mother and Toddler Group to be presented with the Northern Arts regional award and certificate for their efforts.

Doreen Kett, from the Woodhouse Close Residents' Association, said the community had put their hearts and souls into the project, especially the mothers and toddler group at the church.

She said: "This just shows what we can do when we work together.''