A BOTANICAL centre has received a cash boost towards its efforts to help special needs groups with their confidence building and employment skills.

The Abbey National Community Partnership Group has presented Middlesbrough's Nature's World with a cheque for £4,500 to continue its training programme.

Karen Lee-Orlopp made the presentation on behalf of the Abbey National Charitable Trust.

She said: "The wellbeing of our whole community is important if our business is to be successful. Nature's World makes an important contribution to this and I hope our support will encourage other local companies to help too.