Twigs, the Swindon horticultural therapy project, was today due to celebrate the building of a new wildlife pond and wetland area.

The project has been funded by Transco, the gas pipeline and emergency service company. TWIGS received £2,810 from the Transco Grassroots environmental award scheme.

The new pond has been built with a viewing platform, solar-powered fountain and new wetland area.

TWIGS project manager Alan Holland said: "By providing a range of creative work opportunities, TWIGS aims to give local people who experience mental health problems the chance to regain confidence and self-esteem. They learn skills which act as a stepping stone to recovery, further education or work.

"The award has helped us to expand our site at the Cheney Manor industrial Estate.

"We have open days once a month and hope that local people will

continue to come and see the wildlife on their doorstep."

The Grassroots judging panel, who included Bill Oddie, went through the 500 entries to produce 40 winners who shared this year's record £200,000 award pot.