Weston Hospicecare’s garden has been enjoying a spring spruce-up today (Thursday), thanks to a team of volunteers from a national bank.

The Royal Bank Of Scotland (RBS) – which owns Natwest and Coutts – supports organisations all over the UK by offering its staff for community project days.

That meant that a 19-strong team has spent the day painting benches and gazebos, varnishing fences and carrying out other jobs in the garden at the hospice’s Jackson-Barstow House in Uphill.

Rob Lovell, the group’s head of conduct assurance, said the team carries out a number of similar activities through the year, carrying out work for charities, churches, schools and sports clubs.

He said: “I’m Bristol-based, but the team is dotted all over the UK – there are people here from Scotland, London, Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester, as well as a couple from Weston and Congresbury.

“It’s about team-building and supporting the community. We have a bit of fun, but we work hard to get something out of it as a team, too.”

Darren Fairchild, Weston Hospicecare’s estates and facilities manager, thanked the team for their efforts.

He said: “We’re enormously grateful to the RBS team for the work they have done – they really have done a superb job to ensure our garden is looking its best for patients to enjoy this summer.”