CHILDREN at a Hampshire special school have been given a learning boost by a pair of generous volunteers.

Pupils at Shepherds Down Special School can now enjoy wildlife classes outdoors thanks to Rachel Moroney and Karen Eastley, who have constructed a sensory garden.

Nature lessons will take a hands-on slant as the youngsters feel, smell, see and hear the creatures and flowers they are learning about.

Karen, 20, of Missenden Acres, Hedge End, and Rachel, 19, of Nursling Street, Nursling, have renovated a badly-overgrown pond, built a playdeck and constructed a gazebo to provide shade.

Millennium Volunteers, the group which suggested the school project, are so impressed they have declared the Southampton University students Volunteers of the Year for the south-east in the environment category at a glittering award ceremony in London.

Karen said: "We dreamt of doing a project like this. Millennium Volunteers have given us the opportunity to get out and do it.

"Children at Shepherds Down School learn through touch and sight rather than sitting down reading books so we hope the new garden will stimulate their senses."

Tony Gazzard, head teacher of the 130-pupil Compton school for children with learning difficulties, said: "Karen and Rachel have done a smashing job and all in their own time.

"The children will use the pond to study wildlife and the shaded area will mean they can sit outside in summertime.

"It's going to be a great area for us."

Millennium Volunteers is a charity dedicated to encouraging young people to do voluntary work.