A BEAMINSTER special school had been given a grant to help create a wheelchair friendly trail for pupils.

Dorset County Council has handed over a grant of £8,133 from the Inspired by 2012 Health and Wellbeing Legacy Fund, following on from the 2012 Olympic games.

The Friends of Mountjoy School applied for the funding on behalf of the school.

Chairman of the Friends of Mountjoy School Cheryl Baker, said: "The grant will be used for a sensory trail and senses garden.

"The school will create a wheelchair friendly sensory trail with flowers, chimes, seating and a pathway. They will also be developing a wheelchair friendly musical instrument area."

Ms Baker believes the funding will help provide 'long lasting enhancements' to outdoors areas.

"The school has a good range of indoor sensory facilities, but lacks any outdoors," she added. "This project will make much-needed, long lasting enhancements to the outside areas of the school.

"Many of our young people have visual impairment, therefore other senses become paramount, such as smell, hearing and touch. For those with hearing impairment, the sensory trail will both look, smell and feel stimulating."

Mountjoy School caters for children with a range of complex needs including Autistic Spectrum Disorders and moderate to severe learning difficulties.

The project will aim to strengthen health and well-being for a number of groups - including all Mountjoy pupils, as well as The Buddies group from Bridport Children's Centre, Beaminster School pupils, St Mary's Beaminster pupils and members of the public during open days.

Dorset County Council member for Beaminster, Cllr Rebecca Knox, said: “The Legacy Fund budget of £700,000 has awarded grants to 56 fantastic projects.

"We are pleased to be able to provide funding that will help remind people of the superb 2012 Olympics and hopefully inspire them to get out there and do something.”

Chris Skinner, Dorset County Council sports project officer, is managing the Inspired by 2012 Health and Wellbeing Legacy Fund. He proudly presented a cheque to the Friends of Mountjoy School last week.

He said “The project is going to provide a fantastic extension to facilities at the school for the children of Mountjoy School and surrounding schools.

"The outdoor space will provide opportunity for quiet reflection and sensory interaction for children with a range of complex health, physical, learning and emotional needs.”