A PENSIONER who has worked tirelessly to bring a communal garden up to scratch has had her dream come true with the promise of new garden furniture.

Bella McGreavy has dedicated herself to the gardens at Cherwell Close Sheltered Accommodation for the Elderly, in Tolladine, Worcester.

Mrs McGreavy, who is in her 70s, has even planted flowers and shrubs herself to make the garden area attractive for her fellow tenants.

Now, thanks to £450 she received from the Worcester Round Table Making a Difference campaign, she's able to buy the long-awaited garden furniture she desperately wanted.

The campaign, run in conjunction with the Evening News, has £1,000 to give away each month to local clubs, groups and societies.

The money has been raised by Round Table volunteers, who hold regular events, like selling hot roasted chestnuts at December's annual Victorian Christmas Fayre.

Lin Holland, senior warden at Cherwell Close, wrote in to apply for the cash and said it had made all the difference to Mrs McGreavy.

"I'm over the moon for her," said Mrs Holland. "She's thrilled. She desperately wanted this furniture. She wants to make the garden nice for tenants this summer.

"Before Christmas, she underwent major surgery and is still recovering. She amazes me with her courage and determination."

Mrs Holland said Mrs McGreavy organised social evenings, fetes and coffee mornings to raise funds for the garden and for trips for the residents of the 53 flats.

People doing community service help to keep the gardens looking tidy, and have offered to build a brick barbecue for the residents.

As soon as the new garden furniture - and a shed to lock it all in overnight - are delivered, the tenants plan to hold a garden party to celebrate.

"The furniture will benefit everyone involved in the club and encourage more friends and neighbours from the local community to join us.

"More than that, it'll make Mrs McGreavy's constant striving worthwhile. She has dreamt of a garden to be proud of for a long time."