A GARDEN of discovery is being created for children with special and educational needs - with a little help from some friends.

Cleveland Assessment Unit at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, will soon get a sensory garden to give youngsters a safe place to play where they can touch and explore colourful plants, water features and textured surfaces.

Enclosed by a series of interlocking coloured walls, the garden is based on the theme of Teesside's famous explorer son and his journey across the world.

The garden is being designed by landscape architect and Chelsea Flower Show winner Phil Jaffa, who was born in Middlesbrough.

The unit's headteacher, Kate Morris, started the fundraising ball rolling by contacting Wooden Spoon - rugby's charity supporting disadvantaged children and young people - securing £25,000 for the project.

Further money has been made available through ICI's landfill tax credit scheme, which is supporting the trust's healing arts initiative.

Mrs Morris said: "The plans have been drawn up and it's going to be absolutely fantastic.

"The aim is to give children lots of natural experiences, and as wide a variety of sensory experiences as possible - things that we take for granted really, such as feeling the wind, the sound of plants rustling, smelling flowers or even getting our hands dirty in the soil."

Mr Jaffa was approached by the trust's healing arts co-ordinator, Margaret Baily, after she read an interview in which he said he'd love to do something for his hometown.

Mr Jaffa said: "The opportunity to work on such a thought-provoking and emotionally rewarding project for the benefit of my hometown community has been fantastic."

Work on the project is expected to start early in the new year.