A magical garden inspired by the classic book The Hobbit has been opened at Little Haven children's hospice by 1980s pop star Kim Wilde.

The singer turned TV gardener said she felt privileged to have been able to assist in the garden's official launch.

Comfort - Kim Wilde and Countryside's David Fountain take a seat Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

The former songstress worked to recreate the award-winning garden, which featured in last year's BBC Gardeners' World Live Show, winning a silver medal.

David Fountain, Countryside Properties' landscape manager, approached the hospice, in Thundersley, to recreate the garden. He said: "It seemed a shame to let it go to waste."

The garden recreates many of the book's illustrations. A towering figure of Gandalf the wizard forms a rosewood seat and a door is set into the side of a grass hill, bringing to life the home of Bilbo Baggins.

Mr Fountain said: "I'm sure the garden will capture the imagination of the children."

Published Tuesday, April 8, 2003

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