A NEW memorial garden for pets is being created at the RSPCA's animal home in York and a group of teachers got digging yesterday to help prepare the site.

The charity's York and District branch says animal owners will be able to pay a fee to plant a rose bush and install a plaque in the garden to remember their pet.

Branch manager Angela Hunter said the garden, which is being created near the entrance to the home in Landing Lane, would help to raise funds for the charity, although the fee had not yet been decided.

She said there would be room for two to three dozen bushes to be planted in the garden, which is set to open in late spring.

She said many animal owners were very upset when their pet died, and would appreciate the opportunity to remember them in their own memorial garden while also helping to raise vital funds for the charity's York branch.

She said the bushes could commemorate any kind of pet, but stressed that no animals would be buried in the garden.

Eleven teachers and other members of staff from Manor CE School were given spades to turn over the ground yesterday during a day spent at the home, before later helping with the animals.

Teacher Richard Cooper said Manor was using one of its training days as a new 'community day,' which involved the school's 80-90 staff going out to do voluntary work at different locations across the city.

He said some staff had spent the day at Acomb Library, while others had run a coffee bar for the Salvation Army.

*For further information, email rspcayork.reception@gmail.com or call (01904) 654949.