A SEASIDE-THEMED dementia garden has been shortlisted for a national community award.

The Fed, in Prestwich, has been named as one of 30 finalists in the Groundwork Community Awards in recognition of its work to make the local area a better place to live.

The garden has been transformed from a neglected space into a "safe, secure and beautiful" space, featuring a boat, pier and beach huts.

Visitors also benefit from 'rock' speakers, hidden among beach objects, which play various seaside sounds such as crashing waves and children's laughter.

The garden has been shortlisted in the Best Community Garden or Green Space category.

Mark Cunningham from The Fed said: “We are proud and excited to be nominated as a Groundwork Community Award finalist.

"Our dementia garden is the culmination of years of hard work and we are very proud of it. The beach theme aims to stimulate positive memories of trips to the seaside and family holidays, either growing up or in young adult life.

"The amazing garden is loved by all who visit it and people love to spend time in it just relaxing and enjoying being outdoors."

The social care provider offers supported housing, mental health support, day care, and also runs a community café among other vital work.

Groundwork, a national charity working to support communities to change places and change lives, launched its awards in 2017 to honour small community groups making a big difference to people's quality of life.

Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s national CEO, said: "I’d like to congratulate The Fed and all of the other finalists at our awards. Having judged some of the entries makes you realise how many extraordinary everyday heroes we have in our communities.

“Their achievements are seldom noticed beyond the neighbourhood or the people directly benefitting. We thought it was time to change that and to celebrate the power of community action.”

Winners will be announced at a national awards ceremony held at the Houses of Parliament next month.