PUPILS are hoping that plans for a sensory garden at their school will blossom and grow.

Children at Eaton Park Primary in Bucknall want to see the space packed with colourful and fragrant plants and flowers.

Quaking grass and bamboo grass will create natural noises in the space when they are blown by the wind.

Teacher Louise Brammer said: "For seven years we've wanted a sensory garden and, with more children with special needs, it'll be good for the children.

"Pupils will be able to go in there at playtime or break.

"There will be plants that encourage butterflies, a bird table, a screened area with rafia, a mosaic, bark and gravel, and different textures."

The planned sensory garden is already a community project.

Students from nearby Berry Hill High School have drawn up the proposals and the school is hoping to get even more involved.

Mrs Brammer said: "Our gardening club are going to maintain the garden and one of the pupil's grandads is going to come in to maintain an allotment-style area, where we can grow vegetables."

Now the school is entering The Sentinel and Barclays' Class Act competition in the hope that a £5,000 prize will turn its colourful plans into reality.

Mrs Brammer said: "One of our major aims is to develop the school grounds.

"We had some canopies so pupils could continue the curriculum outside. Now we're looking at different areas to develop."

The proposed garden would use daffodils, sunflowers, chard and lilies to introduce colour. Curry plants, rosemary, lavender and chocolate ruffles would also be planted to fill the air with fragrance.

And plants such as houseleek and lamb's ears could provide unusual textures for pupils to feel.

Youngsters at the school were enthusiastic about the idea of a sensory garden.

Charlotte Wood, aged 10, from Eaton Park, said: "The curry plant smells nice and herbs smell nice so we could have them.

"The garden will be good for children with special needs because if they're blind they can hear, feel or smell what it's all about."

Michaela McKenzie, aged 10, from Bentilee, said: "A sensory garden will be good for those who need help. My favourite bit will be the flowers. I like roses."

Ben Lawrence, also aged 10 and from Eaton Park, said: "The garden will be a good place for creatures to live like ladybirds, butterflies and caterpillars."