THE official opening of a new sensory garden was the highlight of a successful family fun day staged by the Bury Society for Blind and Partially Sighted People at the weekend.

Bury mayor, Cllr Stella Smith, carried out the ceremony during Saturday's event and now the sensory garden is set to become a magnet for members, volunteers and visitors to the Society's base at Wolstenholme House in Tenterden Street.

The garden is made up of raised beds, benches and wind chimes and will allow the blind and partially sighted members the opportunity to touch and smell the plants.

Society chief executive officer Jill Logan said: "We started work on the sensory garden in April. The firm that did the landscaping, Dave Darlington, was brilliant and they worked closely with the group's members who came up with various ideas. The sensory garden has made a big difference already and makes the centre seem bigger.

"We have our door open for people to go out to it and a picket fence makes it safe for them to take their guide dogs out. Because of the raised beds, members can sit on the side and do gardening and get the help of Society volunteers."

Earlier this year, the Society received a £12,000 grant from the Bury Times, via the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of Gannett, the parent company of Newsquest Media Group. Jill added: "The money has gone towards the sensory garden and the ongoing project. We would also like the Bury Lions for their contribution. The family fun day was really good and we raised more than £600."

Other attractions at the family fun day included AMF Bury's inflatable 10-pin bowling alley, a jumble sale, crafts, family games, home made cakes and a raffle. And one of the raffle prizes was won by the mayor.