PEOPLE receiving bereavement counselling are among those who will benefit from a new garden that has been installed outside the offices of a North Yorkshire hospice charity.

The peaceful spot has been created outside the head office of Herriot Hospice Homecare on the Omega Business Village, Thurston Road, Northallerton, where it can be used by visitors and staff.

The garden was created by four Northallerton-based businesses, who gave up their time and supplies free of charge to create the new area.

A bench for the garden was donated by Sam Turner & Sons, Lincoln Builders laid flag stones and gravel and Whitegates Nursery supplied flower tubs. The landscaping was carried out by 3M employees, who are encouraged to work in the community on small projects.

Christine Robinson, fundraising manager at Herriot Hospice Homecare, said they were initially approached by 3M to see if there were any gardening projects their staff could work on.

She said: “It will be particularly nice for people who come into the office to receive bereavement counselling and who may need a little break outside after time spent talking about a friend or loved one.

“We would like to thank everyone who contributed to it; it is a great example of a community-minded project.”