Former soldier Simon Passey has transformed a communal garden in Ashford into a beautiful First World War memorial.

The piece of land in Turner Road, Newtown was in disrepair, but since he took over as caretaker of the Southern Housing Group complex, he has turned it into a welcoming area.

The poppy-filled garden has been embraced by residents and locals who have laid numerous tributes to fallen heroes from the 1914-18 conflict.

Mr Passey, himself a former soldier, says the soldiers of the First World War must never be forgotten.

He said: “I planted thousands of poppy seeds in a plot that wasn’t being used and created plaques and crosses out of disused fence panels and wooden pallets.

“I believe the memories of those who fell must be passed on again and again.”