A SPONSORED cycle ride around Devon and Cornwall that passed through Chagford has raised thousands for the creation of a sensory garden at the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust Centre.

Curly Wright from Tedburn St Mary, along with several members of his family and friends, has completed an incredible 500 mile challenge cycling around the coasts of Devon and Cornwall.

Money raised will help to fund the creation of a sensory garden at the DPHT Centre in Bovey Tracey.

As well as working to preserve the moorland-bred Dartmoor ponies, the DPHT provides 'Ponies Inspiring People' programmes for young people with physical, emotional, behaviour and learning disabilities, which cause them to struggle within day to day society and life, and with school or work.

This work uses Dartmoor ponies as the platform for learning and being outdoors in 'the real world' of nature and the environment.

The sensory garden would be used as part of the programme.

The garden will bring together Dartmoor's textures and smells, flora and fauna, water and granite, and encourage birds, insects and other wildlife.

Curly said: 'I set my heart on raising several thousand pounds for the project and it's been quite a slog but we made it!

'The monies are still coming in, but we already have some £2,000.

'Every penny will go towards making a difference to the lives of hundreds of children. They will be able to access a very special environment in this garden as part of their road to progress.'

To sponsor Curly or donate to the fundraiser, call the DPHT Centre on 01626 833234 or visit http://www.dpht.co.uk">www.dpht.co.uk