WORK is under way to create a sensory garden for disabled youngsters in a Nelson park.

Brierfield-based charity Caring Today and Pendle Council are working on the project in Victoria Park which will link the children's playground with the sunken garden and invite youngsters to explore by touch and smell.

The 79 metre 'ribbon' through the park will have a Pendle Witch theme with a witch's cauldron and even its very own version of Lancaster Castle, where the witches were tried in 1612.

But Southfield councillor Sonia Robinson is concerned there are no longer any toilets in the park for families.

"I'm going to suggest the council puts a coin slot operated one in. Even if there's only one toilet for disabled and non-disabled use it would be worth pursuing."

Council bosses hope the sensory garden will be open by the summer and will benefit families with children with special needs. The project, which will cost £50,000 to £60,000 is being funded by Nelson Area Committee, the parks department and Caring Today.

Parks, Cemeteries and Outdoor Recreation manager Colin Patten said: "We are restoring the sunken garden itself with access for wheelchairs and prams and general horticultural restoration with new beds.

"The sensory part of it will start around the sunken garden and continue into a new band or ribbon linking it to the existing children's playground.

"There are a lot of people out there with more than one child with one which perhaps has special needs and the other one doesn't and this will enable them to look after both of them at the same time."