THE Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen has been selected to be the home for five trees given to mark the Queen’s service to the Commonwealth.

The trees have been presented to the Trust’s League of Friends by Owen Paterson, North Shropshire MP, who chose Horatio’s Garden, which is being built at the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (MCSI) at the hospital.

The five saplings were donated thanks to a partnership between the Woodland Trust, Sainsbury’s and ITV for the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, a network of forest conservation initiatives to mark her lifetime of service.

Mr Paterson was one of more than 500 other MPs given trees to plant as part of the initiative.

Once built, the stunning Horatio’s Garden will offer a sanctuary for patients with spinal cord injuries.

Last year, Mr Paterson was a patient on MCSI, after breaking three vertebrae in a riding accident.

His accident resulted in him spending three weeks in hospital and four months out of work to recover.

Mr Paterson said: “Having supported MCSI through fundraising endeavours over the years and more recently experiencing the hospital as a patient, I know what amazing work the staff do and the high standard of care provided to patients.

“I also know the wonderful difference Horatio’s Garden will make to the patients on MCSI, which is why I feel delighted to have presented the trees to the Trust for the garden.”

Rebecca Warren, ward manager on MCSI, said: “Thank you to Owen Paterson for choosing our Horatio’s Garden, which work is now underway for. Your recognition of our staff and the work they do is really appreciated by all of us.

“We can’t wait to watch the trees grow, once planted in our Horatio’s Garden, once work on it is completed.”