A GREEN-fingered group has been busy creating living sculptures in the gardens of an 18th century manor in Great Witley.

A group of young people with learning difficulties who attend a gardening club at Witley Court completed a serpent sculpture in the mansion’s Wilderness garden.

The concept began as an outreach project where young people were looking at wildlife habitats within the gardens. They designed and created their own wildlife garden in the grounds and made several sculptures using natural materials. The sculptures are intended to make the gardens more interesting particularly for children.

The latest creation is of two serpents and is inspired by the sea monster on Witley’s Perseus and Andromeda Fountain.

Some of the sculptures have been more temporary constructions which have eventually disappeared into the landscape but the serpents are made of living willow and are intended to be a long term feature in the Wilderness garden.