The community project at Hollyrood House, Lindfield, was officially opened on Monday by Sue Stopa, the registered manager.

Some of Hollyrood's 24 residents, who have autism and asperger syndrome, helped to make an eye catching mosaic and paving slabs for the garden path. They customised the slabs with hand prints and art work while the cement was still wet.

One slab features a Dalek drawn by a resident who is a fan of Dr Who, while others feature Christian names, a pig and a cat. Sensory features include trickling water from a fountain, a small well, a herb garden and coloured lights.

The garden is the first joint venture by the Rotary Club of Cuckfield and Lindfield and Haywards Heath Lions Club. Members of both clubs helped to fund the garden and hope to work on other community projects together in the years to come. The Disabilities Trust, which runs Hollyrood, also contributed to the cost of the project which complements a sensory room inside the house, which aids residents' relaxation and relieves stress.

Registered manager of Hollyrood Sue Stopa said: "We're always looking for projects for residents to get involved in and the sensory garden has enabled them to use their skills. The garden was an unused piece of land and it was pretty scruffy and we felt it would be really useful to have it transformed into a sensory garden. It's quite a small piece of land and what they have achieved is quite remarkable.

"There's a beautiful seating area where you can smell the herbs and listen to the fountain and we hope it will aid relaxation."

Senior activities co-ordinator Martin Stean worked with residents, Lions and Rotarians to build the garden, while EDF Energy staff installed the electrics for the lighting free of charge.

Lion Ted Wooldridge said: "It's been a worthwhile and very positive experience and we hope the residents get a lot of enjoyment out of it."

Pictured: Registered manager at Hollyrood Sue Stopa with Richard Hands, president of the Rotary Club, and David Swain, president of the Lions Club, and other club members.