BUSINESS people and members of the Exmouth community are being asked to help raise nearly �1000 to develop an educational garden. The Exmouth Children s Centre, in Moorfield Road, need around �1600 to build a sensory garden which will be used as a safe, o

BUSINESS people and members of the Exmouth community are being asked to help raise nearly �1000 to develop an educational garden.

The Exmouth Children's Centre, in Moorfield Road, need around �1600 to build a sensory garden which will be used as a safe, outdoor environment for its users.

The garden design includes a safe-to-touch water feature; sensory walk, willow igloo, forest camp and fire pit, meadow area, fruit trees and vegetable-raised beds.

Rhonda Jones, volunteers' coordinator at the children's centre, said they needed around �800 for the materials for a garden path.

"It's really important that we get the path down this spring and St Loyes foundation are supporting us with advice and hard labour," she said.

"It's the main and most expensive part of the garden development. We only have about �150 raised by our volunteers and are looking into funding options.

"Overall we probably need about �1600-2000 for the basic garden project costs."

Councillor Brenda Taylor helped plant fruit trees at the centre last Monday, January 18.

Rhonda said: "Last year we talked to some of our children that attend and they said they wanted fruit trees in the garden, so we are particularly grateful for Brenda's contribution.

The Exmouth Children's Centre, of The Children's Society, a registered charity, aims to bring together support and services for families with youngsters under five-years-old.

It brings together services such as free play sessions, early education, health services, family support, counselling and job centre plus.

For more information on the centre, call 01395 269041.