YOUNG visitors to Sunderland's Winter Gardens now have a virtual guide in the guise of Jungle Jenny.

The inter-active CD-Rom character helps youngsters find out about plants in the ecological attraction.

Cartoon plant explorer Jungle Jenny is based on the assistant education officer for the Winter Gardens, Jennie Beale.

Jennie said: "I never thought I'd be immortalised as a talking cartoon, but it is all in good fun and educational so I was only too pleased to get involved.

"I'm sure the character will help encourage even more young people to visit the Winter Gardens and learn all about the plants and exhibits on view.

"I'll still keep getting the Metro to work to Mowbray Park though swinging through the trees is so tiring first thing in the morning."

It was designed by Steven Bevan, a third year Broadcast and Multimedia student at Sunderland University.

The guide shows visitors how plants are adapted to their habitats, where they grow and how they can be used for clothes, food and medicine. The explorer will be available to visitors over the next few weeks.