Blooms planted to mark a quarter century of dedicated hospice care

And to mark the hospice's landmark anniversary, an ornamental flower bed is being planted to celebrate a quarter of a century of care to some of the city's most critically ill patients.

The floral display, which is on Bishopgate Street, is being planted with blue and yellow flowers – the colours of St Leonard's Hospice.

The work is being overseen by the head of York Council's neighbourhood pride service, Russell Stone, who helped lay out the flower bed yesterday .

As well as marking the silver jubilee of the foundation of St Leonard's Hospice, the flower bed is also aimed at boosting the official York in Bloom entry.

St Leonard's Hospice's director of fundraising Janet Morley said: "It was 25 years ago this June that the hospice was officially opened by our patron, the Duchess of Kent.

"We are delighted that Russell and his team are helping us mark this very special anniversary with this beautiful floral reminder to residents and visitors of the importance of our work in caring for local people and their families."

The hospice has 20 beds for in-patients and provides daycare services for up to 14 people on four days a week.