A MAJOR step forward in the on-going garden creation programme at Okehampton's stunning new hospital took place yesterday (Wednesday), thanks to help from an international charity and a local resident.

Two hundred indigenous trees and shrubs have been donated by the International Tree Foundation, which will form a huge boost to the plant stock of the grounds.

The planting programme itself is able to take place thanks to generous support from Follygate resident Linda Harris, who made the donation in memory of her husband, Fred.

Annabel Branney, chairman of the Devon branch of the International Tree Foundation, said the charity was delighted to help the new hospital.

She said: 'It's marvellous that we can help in this way.

'We have a policy that we will give trees wherever there is public access.

'In relation to the hospital it's particularly important, because trees are so vital for getting people fit. Anyone who has ever stayed in a hospital will tell you they feel so much better for being able to look out at trees. We just thought this was a marvellous opportunity to help.'

Ms Branney said the fact that the trees and shrubs were native species would also encourage wildlife in the grounds of the hospital, giving patients and staff a 'fabulous outlook'.

David Loader, landscape consultant who designed the gardens at the hospital, said: 'This is going to be a great help.

'It's going to help us increase the amount of native species we have at the hospital and it will make the gardens a lot more interesting for the general public and also the patients.

'We have a whole mix of plants we are looking at planting and the general ambience for healing will be improved — we are very grateful for this.'

Mr Loader said using native plants would help reflect Dartmoor and the countryside around the hospital.

The varieties being installed include silver birch, ash, alder, field maple, hazel and dog wood.

Karen Percival, appeal administrator for the New Okehampton Hospital Appeal, said: 'This is a very important additional step forward. It's a lovely boost and it will make the garden look so much better than we anticipated — it's a really positive move.'

Karen said the Tree for Life appeal, launched in March this year, had been 'incredibly successful', raising £8,000 to buy trees and shrubs for the hospital grounds. Residents who donated money to the campaign have now been allocated plants or trees, with maps showing their position and information about the species.

'I personally think it's now looking very, very good,' said Karen.

'We've managed to get the grass down now, we had lots of problems with the weather and it was looking very brown, but I think it's looking absolutely wonderful now.'

Okehampton mayor Cllr Christine Marsh, who is also one of the hospital trustees, attended the launch of the new planting programme.

'The new hospital is a true community effort and there are so many aspects of it that draw people together, like the gardens,' she said.

'These new trees and shrubs will make a terrific impact — it's helping us enormously.'