PATIENTS recovering from strokes and other conditions will be able to use a new sensory garden at Abingdon Community Hospital.

Staff and patients packed into the garden on Friday when the ribbon was cut to open the new facility.

The garden boasts a central raised bed filled with colourful flowers, a shed, a wheelchair accessible flooring, a patio and benches.

Stroke survivor Andy Hamer, who has been at the hospital since June, was among a number of patients who helped plant the garden.

The 52-year-old, from Grove, said: β€œIt’s very good, it gives us somewhere to come and is a good social space to meet other patients .”

Guests were treated to tea and cakes, and could enter the tombola to raise more cash for the facility.