Dorchester's new Writers' Rose Garden has been officially named.

An official naming ceremony was held in the Borough Gardens at the weekend where the mayor, councillor Gareth Jones, and winners of the naming competition - Carolyn and Paul Gilman - unveiled the plaque with the name 'Hardy's Rose Garden'.

The winners were presented with a David Austin shrub rose called Gabriel Oak, inspired by the male character from Thomas Hardy's Far from the Madding Crowd.

The mayor thanked the main funders - former mayor and local resident Peter Mann, the Friends of the Borough Gardens and the family of Harry Grenville, as well as thanking gardeners.

Music was enjoyed from the Tahini Sisters and the mayor and mayoress, Anne Jones, read 'The Spell of the Rose', a poem by Thomas Hardy.

The rose garden was the idea of Cllr Robin Potter, who suggested that somewhere in the Borough Gardens there should be some roses named after or with links to Thomas Hardy, with David Austin Roses offering a selection of roses with various literary names.

The new feature is between the tennis courts and nursery glasshouse.

Cllr Jones said: "Do remember to come down here, spread the word, it is a calm and quiet place. There are plenty of buds to bloom and I'm sure being a special lace, our gardeners will keep it in tip top condition as they do for all the Borough Gardens."

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