TWO volunteers from Bromsgrove have been celebrated for each dedicating 25 years to maintaining the gardens at Primrose Hospice.

Millie Harries and Linda Babb were presented with a certificate and bouquets of flowers to thank them for their hard work and dedication to the charity.

The pair, who originally met as teachers in Birmingham and worked together for 40 years, began volunteering in September 1995.

Millie, from Marlbrook, said: “We felt that if you came here and saw dead leaves and dead plants that would be very depressing for somewhere like this which needs to be welcoming.”

“It is such a peaceful garden and people appreciate what we do,” Linda, from Cofton Hackett added.

Over the years, the garden has changed dramatically having originally featured a piggery and vegetable garden.

Now it boasts a pond and a children’s sensory garden for patients, families and staff to enjoy and is maintained by several volunteers.

Jo Wright, volunteers’ manager at the hospice, said: “It is incredible to think that Millie and Linda have each dedicated 25 years to Primrose Hospice.

“We are so grateful to them and our team of almost 400 volunteers who give up their time to support the hospice. We couldn’t do what we do without them.”

David Burrell, Primrose Hospice CEO, added: “Between them Millie and Linda have given Primrose an incredible 2,000 days of volunteering.

“We receive so many lovely comments about how well kept the gardens are and this is down to Linda, Millie and the wonderful team of volunteers who work so hard in any weather to maintain them."