Sandy Sutton Mayor of Exmouth helps the children of Beacon School open the new garden at Rose Lodge with Joanna and Peter De Groot. Photo by Terry Ife ref exe 0629-12-12TI To Order a copy of this photo visit www.exmouthjournal.co.uk and click on myphotos24

The Mayor of Exmouth and pupils from Beacon School have opened a new garden at an Exmouth care home.

Residents of Rose Lodge, which looks after people with dementia, have been working with the schoolchildren during the past year to grow vegetables.

To help include more residents in this project, the home has installed new raised flower beds, as well as extending its terrace space, and laying a new lawn with a pergola, and new paths which make the garden easier to navigate.

The gardens have been designed with distinct areas for relaxation and keeping animals - including chickens, rabbits and fish - a vegetable allotment, and the playing of garden sports such as croquet, golf putting and bowling.

To celebrate the opening, the home held a garden party, with entertainment and refreshments.

Mayor Sandy Sutton cut the ribbon to open the garden, and the schoolchildren turned on the new fountain.