TEXTURED and scented shrubs are being used to create a sensory garden in York - to be enjoyed by the visually impaired, wheelchair users and able-bodied people alike.

Adults on the essential skills course at York College, who themselves have learning difficulties, helped to plant up the first part of the sensory garden in the play area at Rawcliffe Bar Country Park.

The garden is designed to stimulate all the senses and as well as textured and scented plants there will also be raised beds to enable wheelchair users to enjoy the garden.

Kim Blavins, community leisure officer at City of York Council, said the garden will be enjoyed by people for years to come.

She said: "We are planting sage, laburnum and clematis along with other types of plants.

"The first phase was planted by people who are disabled themselves and we are hoping it will be finished before the summer.

"We are really looking for more people to become involved and, hopefully, some volunteers that can maintain it afterwards."

Anybody waiting to help or give ideas for the path should contact Kim Blavins at the York Leisure Office on 01904 553369.

Updated: 15:37 Tuesday, January 22, 2002