A sensory garden will be created for deaf people in Basildon, thanks to a £6,000 grant from The Echo.

The Royal National Institute for the Deaf received the grant from the Gannett Foundation, a charity fund set up by the Echo's parent company.

Emma Donnelly, RNID senior community support worker, said the funds would be used to landscape a sensory garden at the charity's supported living accomodation in Whitmore Way, which is home to eight residents and employs 11 permanent members of staff.

The garden will feature fragrant plants, which would make it ideal for anyone who cannot hear.

Miss Donnelly said: "There isn't anything in the local area designed for deaf adults with learning difficulties.

"Before we started it was just a big patch of grass.

"Now it will be a safe, peaceful environment that they can just enjoy."

The garden will also include a barbecue area and concrete pathways.

Miss Donnelly said the RNID had been raising funds for the garden since last September, but had run out of money soon after work on the project got underway.

The charity then successfully applied for the Gannett Foundation grant meaning work could be resumed.

Miss Donnelly said she hoped the project would be finished by the summer.

The RNID helps prepare deaf adults to live independently, with minimal support, in the community.

It provides them with help in finding jobs, going to college, learning how to budget and how to cook.

Miss Donnelly thanked everyone who had supported the RNID's sensory garden.