Rhinos get home improvement help

The six rhinos at Whipsnade Zoo now have heated swimming pools

Exotic reeds grown in Dorset have helped transform the home of six endangered rhinos in Bedfordshire.

Whipsnade Zoo has recently spent £1m on refurbishing the enclosure for its four adult and two young Asian one-horned rhinos, an endangered species.

The animals now have heated indoor pools and visitors can observe them from a new watchtower and viewing area.

Knoll Gardens in Wimborne supplied several hundred Arundo donax reeds, which are used for screening.

Neil Lucas, owner of Knoll Gardens, said: "[Arundo donax] come from a family of bamboo-like reeds that originated from the same part of the world as these giant vegetarians.

"Whilst they will not be on the menu, they will form a fantastic feature as well as effectively screening the rhino's indoor area."

David Hicks, horticultural team leader at Whipsnade Zoo, said: "The staff at Knoll Gardens were very helpful and the plants are great value.

"Now we just have to wait and see what the rhinos think."