TWO FAMILIES in Broadway who offered to provide benches in memory of their loved ones four years ago, could see their plans come to fruition next year.

Wychavon District Council has given £2,600 to Broadway Parish Council towards the cost of a millennium garden.

The site opposite Hunter's Lodge, owned by The Cotswold Hunt, was earmarked for a public garden in the same year that 19-year-old Mark Watts was killed in a road accident, and Kurt Freidli died of cancer.

Both Mrs Dottie Friedli and Mrs Cathy Watts wanted to donate benches for the garden in memory of Mark and Kurt at the time, but legal snags and finance delayed the garden.

Now project organiser and former parish council chairman, Ken Lambley says it's almost ready to go.

He said: "Now we have the cash we are planning site clearance and tree pollarding in the autumn under the guidance of Wychavon's tree expert. After that pathways will be laid with an entrance for wheelchairs."

Planting he said should take place next spring. Mr Lambley added: "The garden will be a lovely place for people walking up the High Street to stop and rest."

He said as soon as the garden was nearly complete next year both families will be contacted. Mrs Friedli said: "I am still quite happy to contribute to the garden."