A memorial garden for people who "died before their time" is to be created in Folkestone by a group of mums who have lost loved ones.

Lottery money has been awarded to build the unique space in the Lower Leas Coastal Park.

The grant worth almost £10,000 will go towards turning the secluded spot overlooking the Channel into a place for reflection to help people come to terms with their tragic loss.

The Look Out and Remember memorial garden will be a designated space at the Sandgate end of the park where families and friends will be able go to find peace.

The mums need to raise a final £5,000 towards their fundraising target and have launched a crowdfunding site.

A pebble path and pool will form the main features, and visitors can leave memory stones as an act of remembrance.

The idea was pitched by a trio of Shepway mothers who have all lost a child, and they have worked with Cruse Bereavement Care South.

"It helps me to feel calmer, gives me a sense of peace as I try to come to terms with Kate's death" - Diana Harrison

Diana Harrison, whose daughter, Kate, died aged 33 following a battle with alcoholism, said: "We each feel the enormous benefit of spending time walking or sitting by the sea, with its big skies, changing light, smells and sounds.

"It helps me to feel calmer, gives me a sense of peace as I try to come to terms with Kate's death."

The other two mums involved in the project are Jan Elston and Anne Greer, who feel the sloped site is the perfect place to create the garden.

The space will be open to all denominations and cultures.

Artist Laura Froude will supervise its design and construction, which will use mostly local materials to create the pebble path.

Benches will look out to sea over the pool at the top of the slope.

Laura added: "We are aiming to raise a total of £15,000 for this wonderful project, which will serve the local community and visitors."

The project has already been approved by Shepway District Council, which manages the Lower Leas Coastal Park.

The council's park-maintenance team will cut the path route, dig the pool, install the benches and maintain the area when it is completed.

To donate and find out more, visit the JustGiving page or search Look Out and Remember on Facebook.