THEY may be fearsome warriors – but the hard-working Gurkhas also have a gentler side.

Soldiers from 246 Gurkha Signal Squadron in York have been working with the Canal and River Trust on a new dementia sensory garden at Naburn Lock.

The new garden will be part of a wider site makeover that will also include a nature trail, to sensitively transform and enhance the natural surroundings at Naburn Lock, located on a picturesque rural stretch of the River Ouse.

The new garden and nature trail, funded through a £10,000 grant from the Bags of Help local community scheme run by Tesco, will be completed in time for an open day in September.

The Trust’s development and engagement officer, Tom Wright, said: “The Gurkha soldiers’ enthusiasm and energy has been fantastic and we’ve made great steps towards a new dementia sensory garden. Now we will begin to design and plant the garden.

“We’ll be inviting local people who suffer from dementia to join us in the gardening and planting process. I hope they will enjoy the garden and spend time here with friends and family.”

The Gurkhas’ commanding officer, Major Paul Whillis, added: “We’ve been helping with the physically tough stage of creating this new community garden, cutting back vegetation and moving masonry from a former mill on the site.

“It’s been great to meet the Canal and River Trust team and find out about what they do and help to make a lasting difference to the local community.

“It’s a wonderful setting at Naburn Lock and we look forward to returning to see the finished site in September.”