New pet remembrance garden officially opens

Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent Steve Watkins officially opened the pet memorial garden on Thursday

A new garden of remembrance dedicated to pets has been officially opened in Stoke-on-Trent.

The new space at Carmountside Crematorium was established for residents to commemorate their beloved companions in a peaceful environment.

The Paw Print Remembrance Garden provides a dedicated area to scatter ashes, space for memorial plaques and a memorial ashes vault as well as keepsakes that people can take home with them.

The garden was officially opened on Thursday by Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Steve Watkins.

It has been constructed to be environmentally friendly - with benches made entirely from recycled plastic and bee-friendly planting to encourage pollination.

The council says the new garden will provide people with a peacefu lenvironment for people to remember their pets

A "bug hotel" has also been built to encourage biodiversity and natural pest control as well as providing shelter for insects.

"For many of us, pets are an integral part of the family and losing them is often a sad, difficult time," said Councillor Majid Khan, cabinet member for health integration and wellbeing.

"This new garden of remembrance is a welcoming space to remember your furry friends and with many options available, you will be able to commemorate them in a way that is personal to you."