Gardens,too, aregiven bestcaring

Their combined efforts have produced a front garden at Westergate House Care Home which has won a place in the semi-final of a national competition.

The imaginative range of plants, flowers and shrubs which adorn the entrance to the Denmans Lane property has already caught the imagination of the judges in the best gardens contest run by home operator Barchester Healthcare.

They will further scrutinise the work for the design and quality of floral displays and the imaginative use of shrubs and trees as well as the benefits the area offers to residents, staff and the local community.

Home maintenance manager Trevor Butler is leading the efforts to ensure Westergate House is one of Barchester Healthcare's 170 homes and communities which gets through to the finals of the competition's front garden category next month.

Celebrity gardener Charlie Dimmock, from the BBC's Ground Force programme, will be at the finals as part of her involvement with Barchester Healthcare.

Sharon McNamara, the home's general manager, said: 'We work hard on our garden so that our residents and visitors can enjoy the outdoors.

'But we are making an extra special effort this year for the competition and many of our residents have also got involved.

'The residents really enjoy the garden and we make the most of the summer weather with many activities and events held outside.'

A selection of trees and shrubs has been donated to the home by Arundel Areboretum owner Tim Teear and his wife, Gwenda. Tim's father, John Teear, is a resident at Westergate House.