A FORMER British Lions and 1970’s Welsh rugby star has helped to launch a multi-sensory garden in Gilwern.

Terry Cobner, 68, who was captain of Pontypool RFC for nearly 10 years, was on hand to cut the ribbon to open the Heaven Scent multi-sensory garden at Monmouthshire County Council’s Youth Service HQheadquarters in Ty Mawr on Saturday.

The garden has been transformed from a vegetable patch to provide a tranquil spot for youngsters with additional learning needs and their families while stimulating and engaging the senses. It includesfeatures a willow tunnel, a herb garden, wild flowers, accessible sleepers for sensory exploration, a picnic bench and a water feature to enhance different senses.

It is hoped that a swing will be provided if money can be found. The Heaven Scent garden has been funded by a bid to the rugby-based charity Wooden Spoon and which was founded in 1983 to make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people. Additional help has come from a donation by the Tesco store in Abergavenny, with las well as construction firm Interserve which lent four of its staff to providing labour and skills over two days.