A RUGBY club stalwart has been commemorated in the form of an ornamental garden at the team's home.

Darlington Rugby Club has opened the garden at its home at Blackwell Meadows and named it in memory of Tommy Rawle, a respected supporter of the club, who also served as a player and as president.

Mr Rawle died in 2004.

Current club president Frank Nelson said: "Tommy and Olive Rawle were very good supporters of the club quite a number of years ago.

"Tommy supported the club a lot financially. He just did it without any hesitation and back in those days the club just wouldn't have survived without it.

"The support from his family has continued and his daughter supports us every year, so it is with fond memories and gratitude that we can pay tribute to him in this way, through this lovely garden."

Mr Rawle's daughter, who opened the garden, Jonika Britton, said: "Dad had a long association with the club and to be remembered in this way and by so many people is very special indeed.

"Dad would have been 99 years old this year and I know he would have been very happy with the garden and very pleased to see it being used."

The garden consists of a water fountain, a pagoda, stone bench, rose arch, ornamental lights, landscaping and plants.

The development of the garden has been well supported by local businesses.

Paddock Farm, of Croft, supplied all the equipment for the water feature and all of the planting. P and D Aggregates and Skipbridge Landscapes, of Darlington, supplied the pagoda, rose arch, paving and the turf.

Wendy Thompson, manager of Blackwell Meadows, said: "The support we have had to do the garden has been amazing and we are so pleased with the end result.

"It is a fitting tribute to Tommy Rawle and his family and we look forward to being able to offer this as an extra facility at the club.

"We do a lot of weddings here and it will be lovely to use the garden for the photographs on such a special day. This is an added benefit and will make a big difference."