A Hospice has been awarded a £1,500 grant from Hartlepool Borough Council's Pride in Hartlepool scheme.

The grant has been awarded to help fund gardens at Hartlepool and District Hospice's proposed new building.

It is hoped that the gardens will provide an interesting and absorbing place for patients and families to spend time together, during a very difficult time.

Gillian Smellie, trust fundraiser, said yesterday: "We are extremely grateful to Hartlepool Borough Council for their generous grant donation.

"We intend to place sculptures and a water feature in the central courtyard space.

"We are also hoping to design the landscape in this area to include beds of stone and cobbles, to give an impression similar to a dry river bed.

"We also intend to include plants to attract birds and insects to the garden, and provide the secure perching opportunities necessary for birds to become frequent visitors, for the enjoyment and pleasure of our patients.

"If it were not for us being able to acquire grants for such projects, we would be unable to provide these facilities."