Memorial gardens are to be created at two Wiltshire crematoria as tranquil places where people can come to remember loved ones who died during the Covid-19 pandemic and pay tribute to those who sacrificed so much to help others who were sick, isolated or vulnerable.

Memorial gardens are to be created at two Wiltshire crematoria to remember those who died during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The memorial gardens will be at North Wiltshire Crematorium in Royal Wootton Bassett and West Wiltshire Crematorium, near Trowbridge.

The sites will also pay tribute to those who helped others who were sick, isolated or vulnerable.

They will be landscaped with colourful, seasonal plants to make up a rainbow with the focal point being a stone memorial individual carved by Westerleigh’s, the company who own the crematoriums, stonemasons.

Roger Mclaughlan, chief executive of Westerleigh Group, said: “Over the centuries, people have commemorated significant, life-changing events by creating memorials to honour those who have died.

"We wanted to do something similar to acknowledge the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the local communities we serve.

“Our local crematoria and cemeteries have very close links to the people who live and work in the surrounding areas.

"We are all too aware of the impact this pandemic has had and will continue to have on them, which is why we felt it was appropriate to create a permanent and lasting memorial in the grounds of our crematoria.

"Each memorial will be a special place where people can come to remember and reflect, and to give thanks to the wonderful way that the NHS, key workers and whole communities pulled together during this crisis.

“We hope these memorial gardens will be well received and as we move forward, we want our communities to join us in our plans and help to shape them.

"The gardens will be a permanent memorial of these times for future generations.”

Work is expected to begin on the stone memorials in the Autumn with garden landscaping taking place in early Spring 2021, shortly before the memorial gardens are opened.

More details will be revealed soon.