SPARKLY trees, bows, baubles and brightly-coloured windmills have transformed the garden of a Blackpool centre for special needs children into a shimmering winter wonderland.

Blenheim House, on Whitegate Drive, was featured on ITV's Surprise Gardens recently, and the children who attend the centre are thrilled with the transformation.

The garden was the idea of Gill Hudson and Elyse Jackson. Gill attended the centre with her friend's son, Jake, who died in 1996. Her own son Woody, who is blind, now also attends the centre. Elyse used to take her daughter, Angelique, to the centre until she died in 1997, aged four. The two women, and Elyse's 13-year-old son Reece, tend the garden, which has a water feature and chimes, bright flowers with strong scents, and plants with different textured leaves.

Said Elyse: "I wanted to give something back to Blenheim for all they gave to Angelique and to me, and for all they give to every parent -- way beyond the call of duty. I wanted it to be something full of love and life that all the children there would really enjoy.

"Christmas is a special, magical time for children with special needs. Angelique loved everything that sparkled. It is great to see the wonder and excitement on the children's faces when they see each decoration. Giving such joy to everyone at Blenheim gives me an enormous sense of pleasure."

Pictured is Fred Talbot from ITV's Surprise Gardens programme with, left to right, Elyse and son Reece and Gill with Woody