A SPECTACULAR snowdrop display is being created in memory of babies buried at a Middlesbrough cemetery.

Parents from across the Teesside area are being invited to sponsor a snowdrop or plant a bulb in their child’s memory.

The planting was the idea of local fund-raiser Mike Farrell who received a £1,000 Teesside Hero award in July from the Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation for his charity work in the area.

He approached Middlesbrough Borough Council through the Friends of Linthorpe Cemetery, and in partnership with Butterwick Hospice put his award towards the purchase of 10,000 snowdrop bulbs.

The bulbs will be planted in the cemetery’s baby memorial area at special ceremonies this Saturday and Sunday.

Mr Farrell said: “The sight of 10,000 snowdrops pushing up through the frosty ground during the darkest and coldest days of winter will be spectacular and will be great testimony to the memories of the children we have lost.”

Anyone wishing to plant a bulb in person is welcome to attend between noon and 4pm on Saturday, and 10am and 2pm on Sunday. For more information contact Mike Farrell on 07885579092.