PART-TIME soldiers are digging in to help a group of handicapped youngsters.

Seventy members of 104 Pioneer Squadron, based at Coulby Newham, near Middlesbrough, are transforming spare ground into a sensory garden.

They are preparing the site, laying out paths and the garden itself around an existing group of trees, next to Catcote School, in Hartlepool's Catcote Road.

Teacher Wendy Simms said: "It will be designed to stimulate the children's touch, hearing, sight and sense of smell, using such things as a wall of coloured bottles, a summer house, a water feature, trees and scented plants.

"The garden will make such a difference to our children. Some have profound and multiple learning difficulties and use wheelchairs. We take them out on trips, but the garden is a way of bringing the outdoors to them in a form they will enjoy.''

She said: "We are trying to enhance their education by creating an outdoor teaching environment."

The school has raised almost £4,000 towards the cost of the garden through various fundraising events and donations from supporters and local businesses.

Hartlepool student Stephen Lee designed the garden, which will be composed of four different areas.

Warrant Officer Norman Smith, the project manager for the garden, said: "We are delighted to be able to build the garden for the school and it has also been excellent training for us as it has needed many of our specialist skills.

"All the soldiers have been really enthusiastic about the garden and each of our troops is responsible for building a section."