A COMMUNITY hall opened its doors to invited guests on Friday to celebrate the transformation of a weedy wasteland into an attractive sensory garden.

Grassacres Hall in Westbury, which is used by various community groups and as a day centre for the elderly, had its new garden officially opened by west Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison.

Hall secretary and project manager Ellen Scudamore said she was delighted with the garden.

"There was big patch of grotty weeds outside before. We had people to get rid of the weeds but they kept coming back. I am absolutely thrilled with the final results of the garden and as the garden matures it can only get better.

"Many of the users of the hall can no longer look after their gardens or have moved to flats without gardens."

The garden was designed by Ruth Collins, from Dilton Marsh, and landscaping was provided by J M Gerrish.

Work started on the transformation in April but because of the hot summer it was too warm to put some of the plants in.

Ms Scudamore said: "My friend Maggie Gaylor and I put about 10 tons of soil into the raised beds in the baking sun.

"But it was worth it. Lots of people have commented what a big difference the garden has made. It means another room for Grassacres and will generate conversation for so many people."

Money for the project was donated by organisations including the town council, the Lions Club, Spiritual Awareness Group and Probus, while local companies offered reduced prices on tools, plants and materials. The biggest contribution of £3,000 came from the Wiltshire Community Foundation.

Jenny Wildblood from the Foundation said: "We could see it was going to be an exciting and useful addition to the services Grassacres already provides.

"We were impressed by how it was organised and that it would be a working garden with hall users plantng and growing things and not just using it to sit in."