MUM Teresa Steele, who suffered a still birth six years ago, is fundraising for a memorial to be put in Hillworth Park, Devizes, as a focus for bereaved parents.

Mrs Steele from Market Lavington lost her baby Monica after she suffered pre-eclampsia and she was supported by the Swindon branch of SANDS a charity which helps families who have suffered a still birth or neo-natal death.

Last year Mrs Steele and her aunt Sue Nash set up a Devizes group which meets on the last Thursday of every month at St James Parish Rooms from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

She said: "The Swindon branch has put up a memorial and we thought it would be a good idea to have one in Devizes where people can go and get some comfort. We want it to be in a public place where whole families can go. Hillworth Park seemed like an ideal location and we have had a lot of support from the town council."

At last week's recreation and properties committee meeting members voted in favour of allowing the memorial to be put up but asked officers to look into where the exact location should be.

Some felt the Quakers Burial Ground in the corner of the park as this would give more privacy but others were worried this might have a particular religious connection and make it less accessible to some.

But others felt the area was no longer a religious place but ideal for quiet contemplation. Mrs Steele, who has gone on to have a son and another daughter, said: "It is still early in our discussions with the council so an exact location has not been decided. But we are very pleased to have the support."

Mrs Steele lost her baby when she was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at 29 weeks and her child died in her womb. She still had to go through the trauma of the birth at Great Western Hospital, Swindon and became aware of SANDS when the charity gave her a memory box to take home. She said: "It was a very difficult time. Other families have a baby to take home and if it wasn't for SANDS parents in my situation would have nothing at all.

"I got in touch with the Swindon group and found meeting other people in the same situation very helpful. Only people who have been through it can really understand what it is like. Others can sympathise but they don't understand."

The Devizes group now has a small regular group of members who meet for tea and coffee and to chat. New members are always welcome.

Ideas for fundraising for the memorial will be discussed on January 28.

It is thought the statue or memorial stone will cost around £15,000. To find out more about the group email teresadiesel@hotmail.co.uk