IT IS now a lush green garden, but a year ago it was a concrete wasteland behind a school.

Carswell Primary School in Abingdon yesterday unveiled its new sensory garden with the help of TV science presenter Dr George McGavin. The garden was dug and planted over the past year with help from volunteers who gave up weekends and school holidays.

Pupil Liam Groom, seven, said: “I feel happy in the garden and thrilled with all the effort that has gone in to making it.”

And Millie Sparks, eight, said: “I was very excited to see the garden transformed, I get a lovely warm feeling when I go in there.”

Year one teacher Katie David, who initiated the project, said: “It was a dead area of the school and quite a challenge to make it usable by as many different children as possible.

“It’s been a very exciting thing to do and the community has been behind us.”